Guinea's Junta Chief Mamady Doumbouya Elected President Amid Opposition Boycott
Mamady Doumbouya, the 41-year-old former junta chief who seized power in Guinea during the 2021 coup, has been elected president after securing a sweeping first-round victory. According to the election commission, Doumbouya won 86.72% of the vote, with voter turnout reported at 80.95%.
The election featured eight rivals, though major opposition leaders were barred from standing and had urged voters to boycott the poll. Among those prevented from running was Diallo, who was in exile or living abroad. Others, including Balde and Millimono, cited widespread irregularities and alleged electoral banditry.
Doumbouya had previously pledged not to run and promised to restore civilian rule by the end of 2024; however, he reneged on that commitment.
The 2021 coup that brought Doumbouya to power had toppled then-president Alpha Condé and was followed by crackdowns on civil liberties and protests, with opponents arrested or exiled.
In September, a referendum approved a new constitution which allowed members of the junta to run for office and extended presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once.
Doumbouya led the vote in the capital Conakry and secured strong winning margins across several districts including Coyah, Boffa, Fria, Gaoual, Koundara, Labe, and Nzerekore.
