Guinea: Alpha Conde re-elected president

Guinea’s electoral commission has declared President Alpha Conde winner of an October 11 election to give him a second five-year term.

Conde gained 58 percent of almost 4 million votes cast, avoiding a runoff vote that several observers had said was possible. Opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo won 31 percent.

“The Constitutional Court still needs to render its verdict, but the National Electoral Commission proclaims President Alpha Conde winner in the first round,” commission head Bakary Fofana told a news conference.

All candidates have 8 days to lodge complaints before the election is ratified by the Constitutional Court. Election observers are yet to pronounce on the vote tallying process, but they said the vote was valid despite logistical problems.

Crowds of Conde supporters took to the streets to celebrate the result.

Guinea holds one-third of the world’s reserves of the aluminum ore bauxite and also produces diamonds and gold. It is relying on mining to boost its economy, estimated at US$6.6 billion in 2014, after a slowdown caused by Ebola.

Conde was first elected in 2010.