[5][2] In July 2013, there was ethno-religious fighting between the Fula (along with Guerzé (Kpelle)) and Malinké (along with Konianke) people, the latter forming the base of support for President Alpha Condé, with the former consisting mainly of the opposition.
The election was intended to be the last step in the country's transition to civilian rule after two years under a violent army junta following the death of leader Lansana Conté in 2008.
[4][9] This decision was provoked in part by the National Electoral Commission's approval of South African software firm Waymark Infotech in compiling a new list of registered voters for the elections.
[10] The indigenous Guerzé are mostly Christian or animist, while the Konianke are newer immigrants to the region who are Muslims and considered to be close to Liberia's Mandingo ethnic community.
[12] Thousands of pro-opposition supporters took to the streets and clashes broke out between rock-throwing youths and security forces armed with truncheons, guns, and tear-gas grenades.
[1] On 4 March, the violence showed no signs of abating, with further clashes between protesters and government security forces leading to more dead and injured from gunfire, bringing the death toll to five people.
[17] The militants reportedly called her a spy and threatened to attack her on the grounds that she belonged to the Fula ethnic group, and shortly afterwards, she was forced to flee, with a colleague, from a violent, stone-throwing mob.
Former Prime Minister Celou Dalein Diallo, now an opposition leader, gave a speech at the event, urging solidarity and unity after a week of violence.
[5] In the southern forest region, petrol-pump security guards of the Guerzé (Kpelle) ethnic group in Koule beat to death a Konianke youth who they accused of stealing on 15 July.
[21] Eventually, on 7 March, the Guinean government bowed to popular demand and postponed the 12 May election "until further notice", upon the recommendations of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI).
In a press statement, the Prime Minister Mohamed Said Fofana asserted the commitment of the government to spare no effort to ease political tensions, with pledges of free and fair elections.
A government spokesman told Reuters that they would be facing a "civil procedure", following President Condé's call for those responsible for the violence and the pillaging of businesses to be brought to justice.
[22] The Guinean government also agreed to suspend poll preparations, prompting the opposition's agreement on 15 March to take part in preliminary talks to end the deadlock over the elections.
[24] On 2 March, the African Union announced it was deeply concerned about recent political developments in the country “that have degenerated into street clashes and violence and saw the loss of lives and destruction of property”.