Gambiaj.com – (CONAKRY, Guinea) – Guinea’s political tensions have deepened after the government formally confirmed the continued suspension of the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), the country’s main opposition party, just weeks ahead of the December 28, 2025 presidential election.
In a letter dated December 16, 2025, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Ibrahima Kalil Condé, notified UFDG president Cellou Dalein Diallo that the suspension imposed on August 20 for an initial 90-day period remains in force.
Government Upholds UFDG Suspension, Issues Six-Month Ultimatum
The correspondence, referenced as No. 1758/MATD/CAB/DGAP/2025, followed a review by an evaluation committee of additional documents submitted by the party.
According to the minister, while the UFDG cooperated with the review process, the commission concluded that “substantial shortcomings in the legal and regulatory texts governing political parties in the Republic of Guinea remain uncorrected.”
Authorities cited several “worrying anomalies,” including the failure to organize a statutory congress since 2015, the absence of election minutes at decentralized party structures, and the substitution of a national convention for a statutory congress, described as a violation of the party’s internal rules.
The letter also points to irregular appointments within the party’s governing bodies and accuses the UFDG of organizing political activities from outside the country, despite the suspension order.
On this basis, Minister Condé informed Cellou Dalein Diallo of “the maintenance of the suspension measure concerning the UFDG until the aforementioned legal requirements are fully met.”
At the same time, the minister issued a six-month ultimatum to the party under Article 51 of the new Organic Law L/2025/035/CNT. The UFDG has until May 25, 2026, six months from November 25, 2025, to fully comply with the revised legal framework governing political parties. Failure to do so, the letter warns, could result in the loss of the party’s legal status.
The decision reinforces tensions between the authorities and the opposition. Cellou Dalein Diallo, Guinea’s principal opposition figure, is not contesting the presidential election, having remained in exile since the military takeover. The party’s official response is expected in the coming hours.
Electoral Authorities Deploy Materials Ahead of December 28 Vote
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Elections (DGE) confirmed that it began deploying electoral materials nationwide on Monday, December 15, 2025, ahead of the first round of the presidential election scheduled for December 28.
DGE Director General Djenabou Camara Touré said the operation includes both sensitive electoral materials and supplies required for the training of election officials.
Distribution began in the Forest Region and Upper Guinea, considered priorities due to their remoteness, before extending to Middle Guinea, Boké, Kindia, and finally the capital, Conakry.
“Everything is proceeding according to schedule,” Ms. Touré said, assuring voters that the DGE is on track to deliver a peaceful and orderly vote.
The DGE plans to supply more than 24,000 polling stations across approximately 16,700 polling centers nationwide, with each location receiving a complete set of equipment, including voting booths, ballot boxes, and election management kits.
Training and Capacity Building for Poll Officials
Alongside the distribution of materials, the DGE said it has completed training programs for regional, prefectural, and local electoral officials.
The sessions included practical exercises on the assembly of voting booths, sealing of ballot boxes, and the management of polling stations on election day.
As Guinea approaches a pivotal election without the participation of its most prominent opposition leader, the continued suspension of the UFDG underscores ongoing concerns about political inclusiveness and the credibility of the transition process.
