[Al Jazeera] Two political protesters have been killed and several others injured in street festivities with police in Guinea's capital, Conakry, just days before a presidential run-off fist fight.According to witnesses, the police were initially attacked on Tuesday by supporters of Cellou Dalein Diallo, the leading candidate contesting the October 24 poll.
A doctor speaking on condition of anonymity
... for fear of being murdered...
said at least 29 people were maimed in the clashes, including "13 adolescents and three maidens of tender years".
Diallo accused the police of killing his supporters and said that some of his supporters had died in the violence. "The security forces are beating my supporters, killing some of them and arresting others," Diallo said.
Increasingly tense
Diallo won the first round of the election on June 27 with 43 per cent of the ballots, against Alpha Conde, who had 18 per cent.
Relations between Diallo's supporters and security forces have become increasingly tense as the election date gets closer, with traditional festivities taking place in several districts of Conakry, the capital, on Monday as well.
Jean-Marie Dore, the prime minister, said: "If there is any public disorder, we will jug those who are in the streets, as well as those who are directing them."
The presidential poll was supposed to bring civilian rule to the West African nation, but the country's first free elections have divided the country. The two remaining candidates come from the two largest ethnic groups and divisions have fallen along these lines.
In an attempt to ensure that the poll goes ahead on Sunday, General Sekouba Konate, the head of the military government, replaced Lounceny Camara, the controversial head of the Independent National Electoral Commission [CENI].
Diallo had pressed for a "neutral and consensual" replacement for Camara, whom he accused of being wrongfully elected and being close to his opponent.