afrol News, 9 June - Guinea's army chiefs have urged the ruling junta to delay elections scheduled for later this year saying the country is not ready to organise credible presidential and parliamentary elections in 2009.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Colonel Oumar Sanoh told the ruling junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who seized power in a bloodless coup when veteran President Lansana Conte died, that that he should extend his time in office to finish some of the projects started over the past five moths ago.

"Guinea is not ready to organise presidential and parliamentary elections in 2009. The people want you to agree to a delay," Colonel Sanoh said on state television.

Captain Camara who took power in a coup last December, suspending the civilian government and vowing to organise free, credible, and transparent elections had earlier indicated that the west African state will hold elections in 2010, but backed down on his plan as international pressure mounted on his regime.

The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States suspended Guinea because of the coup and urged military rulers to hold polls sooner. A coalition of political parties, labor unions, civil society groups, and religious leaders asked for elections this year.

International bodies have widely condemned Captain Camara’s coup and have said they will only support the country if the military ruler sticks to promises made.

Guinea is the world's largest producer of aluminum ore, but remains one of Africa's poorest countries.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories