Guinea’s military leader, General Mamady Doumbouya, has formally confirmed his intent to run for president. He submitted his candidacy documents to the Supreme Court on Monday.
This was the final day for applications in the December 28 polls. These elections are meant to restore constitutional governance after his 2021 coup.
Despite his initial promise after seizing power that he would not seek office, a new constitution has cleared the way for his candidacy.
New Rules Enable Doumbouya’s Bid
The transitional government, or junta, engineered a new national charter. This document was approved via a constitutional referendum held in September.
The new charter replaced previous agreements. Those agreements had explicitly barred members of the military government from contesting elections.
The revised constitution introduced several key requirements for presidential candidates:
- Candidates must be actual residents of Guinea.
- They must fall within the age range of 40 to 80 years old.
Opposition Denounces Leader’s Decision
The Forces Vives, a broad coalition comprising opposition political parties and citizen movements, has publicly denounced Doumbouya’s decision to run.
Since taking power, the military junta has been accused of suppressing dissent. These crackdowns include attempts to organize public support for a return to full democratic rule.
The regime has also faced criticism for suspending various media outlets, restricting internet access, and using brutal force to quell demonstrations.
Key Parties Barred from Contesting
While approximately ten other candidates submitted applications, the legitimacy of the process is already in question. Two of Guinea’s most significant opposition groups, UFDG and RPG Arc en Ciel, have been excluded from the contest. This exclusion has intensified concerns about the election’s overall fairness and credibility.
The Supreme Court is now responsible for validating all the applications submitted. The court is scheduled to publish the official, final list of approved candidates by November 13.
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