Sirte - An International Contact Group on Guinea (GICG) has expressed its concern over the lack of progress towards the restoration of constitutional order and the holding of elections in Guinea.
The 44th GICG meeting, recently held in Sirte, Libya, on the political situation in Guinea, emphasised that the lack of political dialogue among the stakeholders in transit could undermine the country's return to constitutional order.
The country, which is taking a long time to convene the Electoral College, has been under military rule since 23 December 2008.
The meeting was held under the co-chairmanship of the President of the African Union Commission Jean Ping, and the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas.
The group noted the non-establishment of the National Transitional Council (CNT), which should have been in place since March 2009, due to differences regarding its composition and status.
Other deadlocks were also identified including the cessation of the review of the voters' register; the deterioration of the security situation, the violation of human rights (arbitrary arrests and detentions) and the restrictions to freedom of expression and association, particularly the refusal of political parties' access to the state-owned media.
The group also noted the worsening economic and financial situation in the country as well as the lack of an environment conducive for investment and economic activities.
In the face of such a situation, the group stressed the need to re-launch a dialogue aimed at holding elections before the end of 2009, and a formal commitment by the President and members of the ruling National Council for Democracy and Development, as well as the Prime Minister, not to stand for the forthcoming legislative and presidential polls.
It also advocated respect for human rights and the release of the state's contribution to the holding of elections.
A meeting of the Contact Group at political level is scheduled for 16-17 July in Conakry, to obtain clear commitments by the council on the timeframe for a return to constitutional order.
