Mamady Doumbouya, the military officer who ousted Guinea’s last president in 2021, is now steering his own course toward the presidency. The transitional leader has officially registered as a candidate for the December 28 election, a vote touted as a return to civilian rule but criticised by opponents as a power grab in military uniform.
His arrival at the Supreme Court in Conakry turned into a spectacle. Surrounded by special forces and driving in an armoured convoy, Doumbouya reportedly completed the paperwork that could cement his stay in power. Outside, hundreds of supporters transformed the moment into a rally, chanting in unison that their hero was already destined for the top job.
When he seized power four years ago, Doumbouya vowed not to run, insisting his role was to shepherd the nation back to democracy. That promise crumbled in September, after a disputed referendum ushered in a new constitution. The legal overhaul removed barriers that once blocked military leaders from contesting elections and introduced rules that require presidential hopefuls to be aged 40 to 80 and reside in Guinea, a shift that conveniently excludes some of the military’s fiercest civilian critics.
Among those now sidelined are 87-year-old former president Alpha Conde, who lives abroad, and longtime opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo, pursued by charges he claims are fabricated. Meanwhile, figures such as former Prime Minister Lansana Kouyate and ex-Foreign Minister Hadja Makale Camara have already filed their candidacies.
The Living Forces of Guinea, a coalition of opposition groups, issued a sharp rebuke, calling Doumbouya’s bid “a disastrous turning point in our country’s history” and accusing him of betraying prior commitments.
Since staging the coup, Doumbouya has deepened his hold on power. Public demonstrations have been outlawed, prominent critics have been jailed or exiled, and reporters are facing unprecedented censorship. Human rights organisations have documented cases of forced disappearances and intimidation.
Despite its political turbulence, Guinea remains a nation of immense potential, home to the world’s largest bauxite reserves and prized iron ore deposits. Yet its promise has been overshadowed by decades of instability, military takeovers, and violent repression. The 2010 election briefly raised hope for a lasting democracy. Today, that aspiration hangs in the balance once more.
