Guinea’s junta, Mamady Doumbouya, has officially declared his intention to contest in the country’s presidential election scheduled for 28 December, a move that could see him remain in power for another five years.
Doumbouya, who seized power in a military coup in 2021, had earlier pledged not to participate in future elections. However, a new constitution introduced by his government and approved in a September referendum has cleared the path for his candidacy.
The revised charter replaces post-coup arrangements that barred junta members from contesting elections. It also stipulates that presidential candidates must reside in Guinea and be aged between 40 and 80 years conditions that effectively exclude two prominent opposition figures: former president Alpha Condé, 87, who lives abroad, and former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, 73, who is in exile facing corruption charges he denies.
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Other contenders, including former prime minister Lansana Kouyaté and former foreign minister Hadja Makalé Camara, have submitted their applications and are eligible to run.
Guinea, a West African nation rich in natural resources, holds the world’s largest bauxite reserves and one of the richest untapped iron ore deposits at Simandou.
