General Mamady Doumbouya Confirms Power Amid Controversial Elections in Guinea
General Mamady Doumbouya Confirms Power Following Elections
General Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of the junta in Guinea, has gained a significant lead in the presidential elections, where his main rivals were excluded from the competition, according to initial results. Doumbouya aims to legitimize his leadership after seizing power through a coup four years ago.
A civil society group advocating for the restoration of civilian rule condemned the elections as a "farce," and opposition candidates claimed that the polling was marred by irregularities. On Monday, the internet monitoring organization NetBlocks reported restrictions on social media platforms TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, while Guineans awaited full results. There was no official comment on the restrictions; however, opponents see this as an attempt by the junta to suppress criticism regarding the results.
The 41-year-old General Doumbouya reportedly received over 80% of the votes in several districts in the capital, Conakry, according to partial results presented on television by Djenabou Toure, head of the National Electoral Commission. Doumbouya has a considerable lead in various other areas, including Boffa and Fria in the west, Gaoual in the northwest, Koundara and Labe in the north, and Nzerekore in the southeast.
After overthrowing President Alpha Condé, 83, in 2021, he had promised that neither he nor any member of the transitional government would run for office in the future. "Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything... As soldiers, we greatly value our word," he stated at that time. However, Doumbouya violated his promise and entered the ballot after a new constitution, implemented in September, allowed him to run.
Eight other candidates participated in the elections on Sunday, but without the participation of the main opposition parties, RPG Arc en Ciel and UFDG, none of the participants hold a solid political base. Although popular among the youth in Guinea, Doumbouya has been criticized for curtailing opposition activities, banning protests, and limiting press freedom ahead of the elections. He justified his overthrow of Condé on similar grounds - including rampant corruption, disregard for human rights, and poor economic management.
Guinea holds the world’s largest bauxite reserves and some of the richest iron ore deposits. Last month, authorities launched the massive Simandou mining project, raising high expectations. However, over half of the country’s population lives in poverty, according to World Bank data.
