Two killed in protest for jailed leader

At least two people were killed in Guinea during a demonstration against the detention of opposition leader, Alpha Conde, in the eastern part of Guinea, news organisations reported today. Several thousand people took part in the protest in the town of Sigiui, near the Malian border, to protest against Conde’s continued detention. In a related development, dozens of people were detained by security forces in pro-opposition districts of Conakry while they were preparing to hold a march protesting Conde’s arrest, AFP said. It said there were also clashes on Saturday at Mamou in central Guinea between security forces and demonstrators challenging the results of the presidential poll. Conde was picked up by the police last Wednesday “disguised as a marabout”, according to a government statement. He is accused of trying to cross the border into Cote d’Ivoire, which had been closed for the elections. Conde came third in the 14 December presidential elections, which the opposition said were rigged. Outgoing President Lansana Conte was re-elected for a second five-year term.