Conde Wins Guinea Presidential Runoff

Opposition leader Alpha Conde has been declared the winner of Guinea’s presidential runoff election while his rival charges fraud.

Election commission chief Siaka Toumany Sangare says Mr. Conde won 52.5 percent of the vote, while former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo’s won 47.5 percent.

Guinea’s constitutional court must certify the results.

Conde supporters are already celebrating, but Mr. Diallo is refusing to recognize the outcome.

He says violence in the cities of Siguiri and Kouroussa drove thousands of people from his ethnic group, known as the Peul or Fulani, from their homes, keeping down his vote totals. Mr. Diallo’s party also alleges widespread fraud in the November 7 runoff.

The election commission says any complaints must be taken up with the Supreme Court.

International observers have said the voting appeared to be free and fair.

Gunshots were heard after the results were announced in the same Conakry neighborhood where Diallo supporters fought with police earlier Monday.

Witnesses say police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of youths who were throwing rocks and burning tires.

The election was considered Guinea’s first democratic vote after more than 50 years of dictatorship and a military junta.

Mr. Diallo won the first-round election in June, beating 23 other candidates with 44 percent of the vote. Mr. Conde was second with 18 percent.

Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.