20100116
africanews

Guinea's political rivals have agreed to form a transitional commission and hold presidential elections within the next six months, bringing hope of stability to the West African bauxite-rich country. Following negotiations held this week in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou, a joint declaration has been signed by wounded junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara.
Camara has accepted a temporary exile in the host country, junta’s second-in-command Sekouba Konaté and President Blaise Campaoré, who has been mediating in the Guinean crisis.

The declaration proposed the establishment of a transitional commission consisting of 101 members from various walks of life to be led by a religious figure.

The declaration also said that presidential elections would be held in six months, with no members of the junta, the transitional commission and anyone in military service allowed to run.

The Economic Community of West African States will be sending observers to ensure the reliability of the upcoming elections, according the new peace deal.

The deal also provides room for the establishment of a unity government headed by a prime minister to be appointed by the coalition of opposition parties.

The respect of public freedom, including freedom of the press and freedom of expression, and the safeguard of personal and property safety would be a priority of the new authorities according to the declaration.

Camara, who left Morocco for Burkina Faso on Tuesday agreed to remain in temporary exile in that country following intense pressure from the international community on him to stay out of Guinean politics.