UN envoy presses for dialogue in Guinea after unsuccessful attack on president's residence

2011-07-22 04:04:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- A senior United Nations envoy on Thursday called on the President of Guinea to pursue dialogue with opposition political parties following an unsuccessful attack on his residence on Tuesday.

Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa, met Alpha Condé in the capital of the troubled West African nation where he reiterated the UN's support to the democratic process in Guinea. He also condemned Tuesday's unsuccessful attack on the president's residence, echoing similar remarks earlier this week from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and from the UN Peacebuilding Commission.

The BBC reported that on Wednesday at least 37 soldiers were arrested following the attack. Officials said the building was hit by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades.

At least one guard was killed, several more wounded and parts of the house were destroyed. Condé, however, escaped unhurt.

Guinea has suffered from decades of one-party rule or military regimes. Djinnit stressed the need for the President to pursue dialogue with all political parties, particularly in seeking a consensus over outstanding issues regarding the preparation of repeatedly delayed legislative elections, now slated to be held before the end of this year.

Condé took office after winning the run-off round of presidential elections late last year, capping off the interim Government's efforts to restore democracy after a 2008 coup d'état.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-22

I went to Guinea twice as a teenager. Conakry was an eye-opener, particularly for a 15 year old kid from the US. That was when Seke Toure was the top banana. There were political troubles then and there are political troubles now. what's new?