No fewer than 10 people – eight civilians and two policemen – have been killed in post-election violence in Guinea after President Alpha Conde’s main challenger, Cellou Dalein Diallou, claimed victory and said the poll was marred by “anomalies”.
Guinea’s security ministry announced the death toll on Wednesday following last weekend’s vote.
Diallou’s supporters set alight piles of old furniture and burned tyres in some opposition neighbourhoods of Conakry, the West Africa’s country capital.
Police dispersed protesters with tear gas.
“Clashes broke out on the Prince’s Road. A policeman was killed,” Security Minister Damantang Albert Camara told Reuters news agency, referring to a major thoroughfare in the capital that runs through opposition strongholds.
Conde is seeking a controversial third term despite opposition saying it negates the provision of the constitution. Already, reports claimed the 82-year-old is currently leading after results from 14 out of 20 constituencies announced by the electoral commission.
Diallou accused Condé’s administration of modifying results in the incumbent’s favour.
President Condé has called for calm as the country awaits the official election results.
His controversial bid for a third term had led to protests before the elections during which at least 50 people died, according to Amnesty International.
Meanwhile, observers from the African Union (AU) and the Economic of West African States (ECOWAS) have said the presidential election was conducted properly.
Addressing reporters in the capital, Conakry, Augustin Matata Ponyo, the AU’s head of mission in Guinea, said on Tuesday the ballot took place “in transparency”.
Jose Maria Neves, the head of ECOWAS’ monitoring mission, agreed the voting process was lawful and urged candidates to “use legal channels to settle election disputes”.