Conakry: Guinea`s government and the country`s opposition must hold "urgent" talks on holding credible presidential elections this year, the UN`s envoy to West Africa said on Tuesday.
"Around five months are left before the expiry of the current presidential mandate," Mohamed Ibn Chambas said at a news conference in Conakry during a visit to the country.
"Talks are thus an urgent priority."
The envoy met Guinea`s President Alpha Conde, as well as other political and government leaders, and officials in the country`s election commission during his visit.
He said he had encouraged the election commission and government institutions "involved in the organisation of the elections to be conscious of their responsibilities".
His visit follows weeks of clashes between anti-government activists and security forces in the west African nation`s capital and other provincial towns that have left several people dead and dozens wounded.
Guinea`s opposition is demanding local elections ahead of the presidential vote due in October, but has accused Conde of refusing the request because he wants to keep his cronies in local administrations to help him rig the October vote.
The president denies the claims, arguing that local officials will not be involved in the presidential polls.
Conde on May 25 asked his government to open talks with opposition leaders aimed at ending the political deadlock.
The opposition has said, however, that there has been no progress so far.
It has also accused the authorities of manipulating the electoral roll, alleging in particular the addition of minors to voter registries in government strongholds and "frequent and prolonged" interruptions to efforts to update registries in opposition areas.
