Guinea junta chief Mamady Doumbouya wins presidency after opposition boycott

Mamady Doumbouya, head of Guinea’s junta, has been elected president after the country’s electoral commission said he secured a sweeping majority of the vote. He had pledged not to run after seizing power four years ago; the vote was held over the weekend and main opposition leaders were barred and had urged a boycott.

The 41-year-old faced eight rivals but the electoral commission said late on Tuesday he won 86.72% of the first-round vote, well over the threshold that would trigger a runoff. Turnout stood at 80.95%, Djenabou Touré, head of the general directorate of elections, said. Official partial results read on RTG public television showed Doumbouya placing well ahead in Conakry districts, often winning more than 80%, and leading in areas including Coyah, Boffa, Fria, Gaoual, Koundara, Labe and Nzerekore.

The result is disputed. The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution said: "A huge majority of Guineans chose to boycott the electoral charade." Candidate Abdoulaye Yéro Baldé denounced "serious irregularities" and Faya Millimono complained of "electoral banditry" he said was linked to influence exerted on voters.

Doumbouya led a coup in September 2021 that toppled Alpha Condé. He has since cracked down on civil liberties, banned protests, and opponents have been arrested, put on trial or driven into exile.

Key Topics

Politics, Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea, Presidential Election, Constitutional Referendum, Cellou Dalein Diallo