Guinea's New Constitution: A Pathway for Junta Leadership?

The people of Guinea have overwhelmingly supported a new constitution that might pave the way for junta leader Mamady Doumbouya to pursue presidential candidacy. According to complete provisional results released late Tuesday, 89.38% of voters supported the change, with an impressive voter turnout of 86.42%, stated Minister of Territorial Administration, Ibrahima Kalil Conde.

This constitutional overhaul replaces a transitional framework that barred members of the current ruling junta from election contests. Despite the opposition's calls for a boycott, Guineans showed high engagement, potentially signaling a desire to transition away from military rule. The reform includes significant institutional changes like extending presidential terms from five to seven years and the introduction of a new Senate.

Mamady Doumbouya seized power in Guinea in 2021 amid a series of coups occurring in West and Central Africa. Provisional figures indicate broad public support; however, opposition figures like Cellou Dalein Diallo and former President Alpha Conde, both currently banned from politics, challenged the turnout figures due to perceived discrepancies with polling station observations.

(With inputs from agencies.)