UN warns of hate speech ahead of Guinea vote

The UN has warned that continued invoking of ethnic affiliations and hate speech in Guinea’s election campaigns could lead to violence.

The UN rights boss Michelle Bachelet and acting Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Pramila Patten have urged candidates to refrain from hate speech.

“There have been increasingly pervasive and divisive appeals to ethnic affiliations during the campaign, particularly references to the Malinké and Peuhl ethnicities,” a joint statement read in part.

President Alpha Condé, who is seeking a controversial third term, is largely backed by Malinké people, while his main opponent, Cellou Dalein Diallo, is largely backed by Fulani people, although both insist that they are pluralist, AFP news agency reports.

Guinea is set to hold presidential elections on 18 October.

So far, at least 50 people have been killed during demonstrations against President Condé’s third term bid, according to Amnesty International.