Guinea’s junta leader Mamady Doumbouya has been declared winner of the presidential election, securing a sweeping first round victory four years after seizing power in a coup. He had earlier promised not to run and to return the country to civilian rule by the end of 2024.
Election officials said Doumbouya, 41, won 86.72 percent of the vote, far above the threshold that would have required a runoff. Turnout was put at 80.95 percent, with results showing him taking more than 80 percent of ballots in many districts of the capital Conakry and several other regions.
His candidacy was enabled by a new constitution approved in a September referendum, which allowed junta members to contest elections. The charter also extended presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once.
Key opposition figures were barred from running under the new rules. Former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo was excluded because he lives in exile, while deposed president Alpha Condé and ex premier Sidya Touré were ruled out for being over the new age limit of 80.
A citizens’ group, the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution, rejected the official turnout figures and called the election an “electoral charade”. The movement said a huge majority of Guineans chose to boycott the vote and demanded a return to genuine civilian rule.
Since toppling Condé in September 2021, Doumbouya has tightened his grip on power, banning protests and cracking down on opponents. Critics say many rivals have been jailed, put on trial or forced into exile during the transition.
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Christian killings: Nigeria hiring lobbyists to mask insecurity — Ted Cruz
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