[Guinean news] Deadly rioting in Kamsar over power cuts

Riots erupted in the northwestern town of Kamsar and one person was killed. The protests erupted in response to repeated power outages the mining town. An official for the mining company CBG said protesters blocked the railroad tracks but were dislodged by the army, according to Reuters. AFP added that over 30 were injured after soldiers fired on the protesters. The police station and gendarmerie were reportedly attacked and vehicles set ablaze.

[Guinean news] Syli national Nations Cup opens next week

The Guinean national soccer team's opening match in the 2012 African Nations Cup will occur next week. The tournament will be held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Guinea's opening round matches are as follows:

Jan. 24: vs Mali (1500 GMT)
Jan. 28: vs Botswana (1500 GMT)
Feb. 1: vs Ghana (1700 GMT)

The full Nations Cup schedule can be found here, though bear in mind that kickoffs on the linked to site are in central African time, which is two hours ahead of GMT and currently seven hours ahead of American EST.

Details regarding any television and/or online broadcasting are not available but readers are invited to share anything they learn.

[Guinean news] Govt, opposition open dialogue

Late last month, the government of Pres. Alpha Condé, political opposition parties and civil society organizations met with each other, according to Jeune Afrique. The dialogue was established to alleviate tension following the indefinite postponement of legislative elections that had originally been scheduled for last December 29. Despite this, several key opposition figures, most notably former prime ministers Cellou Dalein Diallo and Sidya Touré, were not present at the meeting.

[Guinean news] Army retires 4600 soldiers

The Guinean government has forcibly retired some 4600 soldiers in a attempt to reform an institution described by Reuters as 'notoriously oversized and unruly army." Reports suggest that the army's ranks have quadrupled in the last decade.

[Guinean news] Legislative elections postponed indefinitely

Guinean legislative elections scheduled for December 29 were postponed indefinitely, by the country's Independent National Electoral Comission. The postponement came in response to opposition demands for a delay to prevent fraud.

[Guinean news] Aftermath of July assassination attempt

Africa Arguments (via AllAfrica.com) ran an in-depth analysis of the July 2011 assassination attempt against Pres. Alpha Condé and its implications on Guinean domestic politics.

[Guinean news] Soccer team qualifies for Nations Cup

After a 2-2 draw with Nigeria in Lagos, Guinea's national team was a shock qualifier for the 2012 African Nations Cup at the host's expense. Nigeria was not the only fallen continental giant. Egypt, Cameroon and South Africa also failed to qualify for the tournament, which will be co-host early next year by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

[Guinean news] 28 Sept. massacre impunity criticized; 4 killed in opposition rally

On this Guinean National Day, Human Rights Watch has a report (both in English and in French) criticizing the Guinean state for its failure to punish those responsible for the massacre of peaceful protesters committed in Conakry's main stadium on 28 Sept. 2009. On a somewhat related note, an opposition march in Conakry yesterday protesting the manner of organization of upcoming legislative elections was violently dispersed by the authorities. Opposition leaders say four people were killed in the repression.

[Guinean news] Govt bans opposition protest

The Guinean government banned a major opposition protest scheduled for this week, reports Reuters. The Minister for Territorial Administration said of the opposition, "They just want to create trouble to prevent investors coming into the country ... They did not even seek authorization for it," Opposition figures said the ban was not legal and accused the administration of trying to rig December's legislative elections of behalf of Pres. Alpha Conde's party.

[Guinean news] Legislative elections set for Dec. 29

Guinea's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has set December 29 as the new date for anticipated legislative elections. The CENI will engage in a six-week long revision of the electoral lists, starting on October 3.