Haruna. Courtesy: The Patriotic Vanguard of SierraLeone. Alpha Conde is Guinea’s new president By Gibril Koroma - Tuesday 16 November 2010. In what could be described as one of the greatest upsets in contemporary West African politics, the man who came second in the first round of the Guinean elections, Alpha Conde (photo), has been declared winner after the run off by the country’s electoral commission. According to the announcement made this afternoon (Monday November 15) in Conakry, the capital, Alpha got 52 percent of the votes cast and Cellou Diallo, the man who came first in the first round, got 47.48 percent. The number of voters in the run off according to CENI ( the electoral commission headed by Malian Siaka Sangare) was 4,270,531, with a turn out of over 67 percent. 89,594 ballots were disqualified, although Cellou had earlier claimed hundreds of ballot boxes were fraudulently stuffed by Conde supporters in remote rural areas but some international observers say they did not see any major irregularities. Conde also made the same accusation about Cellou supporters. In any case media reports from Conakry say thousands of people jumped into the streets to celebrate Alpha’s victory, singing and dancing, with security forces firing gunshots into the air. Alpha himself has addressed the nation. Here is a translated version of Alpha Conde’s speech=4213&tx_ttnews[backPid]=4&cHash=6b77866017]:* Fellow Guineans, My dear compatriots, Today marks a new era for our country; an era of change of which millions of Guineans had dreamed for years. Our long struggle for democracy and development has finally been realized in the way we had envisaged. I would like to pay the greatest homage to the Peuple of Guinea who have, one more time, displayed immense maturity by voting in peace in serenity. I dedicate this victory to all the People of Guinea, without distinction; to those who voted for us and those who made a different choice. This is a victory for the People of Guinea and all Guineans that aspire to the same ideal; that of transforming our country into a democratic and prosperous nation for the benefit of all. This is, without doubt, a moment full of emotions, of memories but also, and most especially, of hope for the rebirth of our country. I would like to particularly recognize the wonderful male and female activists of our party, the RPG, who were always with me, full of determination and loyalty. This historic moment reminds us of those who had struggled, often at the risk of their lives, and for those who had suffered physically for the advent of democracy in Guinea. I would like to extend my profound gratitude to all the members of the Rainbow Alliance for the support and dedication that have made this victory possible. My dear compatriots, A new page in our country’s history has been turned today. A new page stamped with a banner of hope for the millions of Guineans who stumble under the yoke of poverty and who aspire to increased justice, peace, serenity and a better life. Now that this exhausting political campaign is over, the time has come to join hands in a spirit of oneness and brotherhood and to collectively face, without delay, the numerous challenges confronting our country. That will only be possible in a peaceful atmosphere with the cooperation of all Guineans. The fertile terrain of a country’s riches could be found in diversity. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to my younger brother Alhaji Cellou Dalein Diallo; I extend to him my hand as a brother for the creation of a prosperous and united Guinea. I call on all my compatriots in and out of the country, to seize this great opportunity and take on the historic task that is theirs to ensure the successful rebirth of our country in peace, reconciliation and security for all. My dear compatriots, At a time when a certain behaviour in certain quarters is trying to stifle our common move towards democracy, and to weaken our social cohesion, permit me to remind you of the absolute necessity for serenity, calm and responsibility. I call on our activists and supporters and all those that had freely expressed confidence in us, to never respond to any provocation. I ask those of my compatriots who voted differently to have in their hearts and minds the assurance of my determination to work for a just, free and egalitarian society. That is why I am asking them to resist any attempt at political manipulation and to always operate within a patriotic and republican framework. The democratic change long desired by Guineans is on the move, and nobody and no strategy, would be able to derail the wishes of the people. As for me, I had always promised during the politcal campaign that I will be the president of all Guineans, without distinction. I will be the President of change, for the benefit of all. I will be the President of national reconciliation and progress for all. My dear compatriots, The sunlight of democracy and development appear in the horizon; let us all grab this opportunity and make it a tangible reality for the benefit of our people. May God bless Guinea and the Guinean people. I thank you. * Translation by Gibril Gbanabome Koroma ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤