Guinea interim leader bars himself, top government officials from June presidential vote
By APSunday, March 14, 2010
Guinea interim leader rules out presidential bid
CONAKRY, Guinea — Guinea’s interim leader says he will not run in presidential elections planned for June in the small West African country.
Gen. Sekouba Konate also said Saturday that prominent transitional government figures cannot stand in the June 27 election.
It could be the nation’s first democratic vote, as a coup leader grabbed in power in 2008 and the nation had previously been led by two dictators since gaining independence from France.
The coup leader agreed to go into voluntary exile after he survived an assassination attempt following a massacre at a pro-democracy rally in September.
The transitional government was established with help from international mediators. The transitional council was also inaugurated Saturday.
