Mamady Doumbouya, the military leader who seized power in September 2021, has officially been declared the winner of Guinea's presidential election. The nation's Electoral Commission announced the results late Tuesday, revealing Doumbouya's significant victory in the first round of voting. He secured an impressive 86.72% of the ballots cast, with an official voter turnout rate reaching 80.95%. This outcome marks his official transition from heading the ruling junta to becoming the country's democratically elected president, although the process has faced considerable opposition and accusations of irregularities.
This election represents a crucial, yet disputed, turning point for the West African nation. Guinea has historically grappled with political instability and economic inequality, despite possessing vast mineral resources. Doumbouya’s rise to power followed the overthrow of Alpha Condé, Guinea's first democratically elected president, in a military coup that promised a new era of governance. Initially, Doumbouya had pledged to restore civilian rule by the end of 2024, a commitment now seemingly superseded by his presidential win.
However, the electoral process was notably divisive. Several prominent opposition figures were disqualified from participating in the election. This led to widespread calls for a boycott from major political groups and civil society organisations. The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution, a significant citizens' movement, criticised the vote as an "electoral charade," claiming that a substantial portion of the electorate deliberately abstained in protest. Presidential candidates, including Abdoulaye Yéro Baldé and Faya Millimono, echoed these concerns, describing the proceedings as marred by "serious irregularities" and "electoral banditry."
Despite these strong objections, the reported results indicate overwhelming support for Doumbouya across the nation. He purportedly achieved over 80% of the vote in numerous districts within the capital, Conakry. Similar leads were also recorded in other regions such as Coyah, Boffa, Fria, Gaoual, Koundara, Labe, and Nzerekore. Djenabou Touré, head of the Electoral Commission’s general directorate of elections, confirmed these figures, signalling the official conclusion of the electoral contest.
The implications of Doumbouya's election are complex. For his supporters, this signifies a consolidation of power and a mandate to implement his vision for Guinea. Conversely, his critics view it as a continuation of authoritarian trends, worsened by previous restrictions on civil liberties, the prohibition of protests, and the arrest or exile of political opponents. The international community will undoubtedly be observing Guinea's future closely, particularly regarding promises of democratic transition and respect for human rights. Doumbouya's decisive victory, while significant in terms of vote count, is undeniably overshadowed by the contentious circumstances of its achievement and the deep societal divisions it has revealed.