During a trip to Japan in late 2003, President ContÈ fell ill and returned to Guinea after medical treatment in Morocco. Despite his illness, ContÈ ran for president a third time in elections held in December 2003. Opposition parties boycotted the election, and ContÈ easily won a third term against a single, relatively unknown candidate. In February 2004, President ContÈ made changes to his government by firing unpopular ministers and appointing more technocrats. On January 19, 2005, President Conte's motorcade was fired upon by unknown assailants. Two bodyguards were wounded but the President was not harmed. Comparatively peaceful and orderly local elections were held on December 18, 2005, with the ruling PUP winning 31 of 38 municipalities and 241 of 303 local councils.

2005 was marked by continued dialogue between the government and opposition parties, 16 of which participated in national elections for local positions in municipal and rural councils. Opposition leaders were allowed to campaign freely, and were allowed equal access to government-run media. The elections themselves were viewed as flawed, yet still much improved over previous elections due to the use of transparent ballot boxes and other reforms. The government also issued rules for allowing the private ownership of broadcast media in 2005.

In April 2006, President ContÈ fired Prime Minister Cellou Dallein Diallo, following a tumultuous 24-hour period involving the announcement of a new slate of ministers that was later rescinded. The prime minister position is currently vacant.

Guinea maintains an embassy in the United States at 2112 Leroy Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-483-9420) and a mission to the United Nations at 140 E. 39th St., New York, NY 10016 (tel. 212-687-8115/16/17).