Guinea's 83-year-old Conde seeks third term as president

There is protest in Guinea after the country's ruling party confirmed months of speculation that President Alpha Conde will seek a third term in office.

The news came, following constitutional reform by the 82-year-old president in March, AFP said.

Critics argued the move was designed to allow him to run for office again in the October 18 election.

“President Alpha Conde will indeed be our candidate in the presidential election,” said the statement from the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG), read out on television.

The party had formally nominated him to run again back in August, but Conde had made no formal response.

Under Guinea’s constitution, presidents may only serve two terms. Conde was elected president in 2010 and again in 2015.

The new constitution reset the presidential term counter and enable him to run a third time — a view now confirmed by the RPG.