Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Conakry (Agenzia Fides) – June 27 presidential elections were held in calm and with a high turnout in the Republic of Guinea, the first truly free elections in the country since its independence in 1958. The interim results are scheduled to be published today, June 30.
Several political parties have denounced irregularities. However, the accusation is rejected by the Independent Electoral Commission.
On the eve of the vote, June 26, His Excellency Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly, Archbishop of Conakry, presided at a Mass to pray for peace in the country. In his homily, the text of which was sent to Fides, he recalled that every Mass is a request to God for peace and said that "the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Guinea has called on all Christians, for nearly two months, to pray for peace in Guinea. In this prayer, we invite everyone to understand that God gave us our country so we could make it grow in peace and love, so that all its inhabitants can live in happiness. Likewise, God asks us to make Guinea a country where justice resides. Thus, we must work for the poor, youth, and marginalized people, to restore their dignity, and we must put an end to a system that forgets or excludes citizens. We must also work to eliminate all forms of cruelty, deceit, and violence that divides our country and prevents us from living together in peace and love.”
Religious leaders of the country, both Muslims and Christians, have promoted a series of joint actions to invoke peace and national reconciliation (see Fides 26/6/2010). "Open your heart to the voice of God that calls us to peace, unity, and responsibility. This is the common message that Muslim and Christian religious leaders of Guinea send to their countrymen on the eve of the presidential elections of 2010," said the Archbishop of Conakry. "The birth of the Religious Union of Guinea may be a significant step toward progress. This organization in every town and every village in the country will help imams, priests, and pastors to meet regularly, exchange ideas, and establish relationships among themselves, without awaiting the emergence of problems. When problems loom, religious leaders will unite to solve them together. To the extent that religious leaders are united, they will be able to preach the unity of Guinea and be heard," concluded Archbishop Coulibaly. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/06/2010)
