Guinea Junta Leader Poised for Victory in Presidential Election

Conakry – Guineans went to the polls on Sunday in a presidential election that appears set to deliver victory to Mamady Doumbouya, the general who led the 2021 military coup that ousted former President Alpha Condé.

Doumbouya’s candidacy breaks a previous promise to hand power back to civilian authorities by the end of 2024. All major opposition figures have been barred from running, prompting opposition parties to call for a boycott of the election.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk described the campaign as being marked by “intimidation of opposition actors, politically motivated enforced disappearances, and constraints on media freedom.”

With approximately 6.8 million eligible voters, Doumbouya, running as an independent, faces relatively unknown rivals and is widely expected to secure a first-round victory. Provisional results are anticipated within two days, according to the General Directorate of Elections.

In September, Guinea approved a new constitution, criticized by the opposition, which allowed junta members to run and extended presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once.

Political analysts warn that the election, with opposition candidates excluded, primarily serves to consolidate Doumbouya’s power rather than offer a genuine choice to voters.

Despite concerns over democratic credibility, Doumbouya has highlighted his government’s infrastructure projects and economic initiatives, including operations at Simandou, one of the world’s largest iron ore mines, pledging to fight corruption and “make Guinea an emerging country.”

Observers note that while such economic projects may be welcomed by citizens, the future of governance and transparency remains uncertain.