Opposition and ruling party in Guinea reach deal for legislative election

CONAKRY, Guinea – A spokesman for Guinea's opposition said that they have reached an agreement with the country's ruling party to hold long-delayed legislative elections in September.

Aboubacar Sylla said the accord, which calls for the election to be held Sept. 29, was drafted under the guidance of United Nations special envoy Said Djinnit, and will be signed on Wednesday afternoon.

Guinea held its first democratic election in its history in 2010. Although mostly transparent, the vote was marred by the deep ethnic divide it revealed between the country's Malinke and Peul. The Malinke represent around 40 percent of the population and backed the Malinke politician in the race, and the Peul represent roughly the same share, and backed Peul politician Cellou Dalein Diallo.