Guinea’s Former Coup Leader Mamady Doumbouya Elected President

Guinea’s former coup leader, Mamady Doumbouya, has been officially elected president, according to provisional results announced on Tuesday, marking a return to civilian rule in the country.

Doumbouya, a former special forces commander in his early 40s, seized power in 2021, overthrowing then-president Alpha Conde, who had led Guinea since 2010. His coup was one of nine that have reshaped West and Central African politics since 2020.

Provisional results indicate Doumbouya won 86.72% of the December 28 vote, securing an outright majority and avoiding a runoff. Election officials noted that the Supreme Court has eight days to validate the results should any legal challenges arise. His victory grants him a seven-year mandate and was widely anticipated, with former president Conde and opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo remaining in exile. Doumbouya faced a fragmented field of eight challengers.

Originally, Guinea’s post-coup charter barred junta members from contesting elections. However, a new constitution approved in a September referendum removed those restrictions, allowing Doumbouya to run. Djenabou Toure, the country’s top election official, reported an 80.95% voter turnout, though participation appeared low in the capital, Conakry, and opposition figures rejected similar high figures reported for the September referendum.

Guinea possesses the world’s largest bauxite reserves and the rich Simandou iron ore deposit, officially launched last month after years of delays. Doumbouya has promoted the project and emphasized maximizing national benefits. His administration also revoked the licence of Emirates Global Aluminium’s Guinea Alumina Corporation earlier this year following a refinery dispute, transferring assets to a state-owned entity.

This shift toward resource nationalism, also seen in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has bolstered his popularity, alongside his relative youth in a country with a median age of 19.

Political debate, however, has been heavily restricted under Doumbouya. Civil society groups report bans on protests, press restrictions, and suppression of opposition activity. UN rights chief Volker Turk described the campaign period as “severely restricted, marked by intimidation of opposition actors, politically motivated enforced disappearances, and constraints on media freedom.”

Opposition candidate Faya Lansana Millimono accused the election of “systematic fraudulent practices,” claiming observers were barred from monitoring voting and counting procedures.