Gen Mamady Doumbouya has been declared the president of Guinea after winning a significant majority in the recent elections. This result, reported by the country’s election commission, comes four years after Doumbouya led a coup to seize power.
While Doumbouya aims to establish legitimacy, criticism surrounds the election process. A civil society group denounced it as a “charade” since key opposition candidates were excluded from running. Many people reported irregularities, raising doubts about the election’s fairness.
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks noted that popular social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook were restricted during the vote count, which opponents allege was an attempt by the junta to mute criticism.
According to provisional results, Doumbouya secured 86.72% of the vote, giving him a seven-year mandate. He previously pledged not to run for office, promising to restore civilian governance after ousting the longtime president, Alpha Condé, in 2021. At the time, he stated, “Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything.”
However, following the introduction of a new constitution last September, he decided to enter the race.
Eight other candidates participated, but most lacked strong political support. Doumbouya enjoys popularity among the youth, yet he has faced backlash for restricting opposition activities and limiting press freedom as the elections approached. Ironically, he justified his coup by pointing to allegations of corruption and human rights abuses by the previous administration.
Despite having rich bauxite and iron ore resources, over half of Guinea’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. Recently, the authorities initiated the Simandou iron ore mine project, sparking both excitement and skepticism about its impact on the country’s economy.
Overall, Doumbouya’s ascent raises important questions about governance and civil liberties in Guinea, as the country navigates a complex political landscape amid pressing socio-economic challenges.
Source link
