Guinea will hold its first presidential election on December 28, its first since the 2021 coup.
Guinea will hold its first presidential election on 28 December, marking a decisive step in the country’s political transition since the 2021 military coup. The announcement, delivered via state television, followed the Supreme Court’s validation of a new constitution—effectively clearing the path for coup leader General Mamady Doumbouya to potentially shift from junta chief to elected president.
The new constitution replaces the transitional charter, which had barred members of the ruling junta from contesting elections. While Doumbouya has not formally declared his candidacy, the removal of this restriction positions him as a central figure in the race.
Beyond eligibility, the charter introduces sweeping institutional changes, including the extension of presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once.
According to the Supreme Court, the constitutional referendum passed with 89% approval and a reported 92% voter turnout. These figures, however, have triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who argue that turnout was far lower than official numbers suggest.
The dispute has cast doubt over the credibility of the referendum, raising concerns about transparency ahead of December’s vote. For many Guineans, the shadow of contested legitimacy could shape the electoral atmosphere.
Guinea’s coup was part of a wave of military takeovers that swept across West and Central Africa in recent years. Countries in the region have taken different paths since: Chad and Gabon have held elections to restore civilian rule, while Mali and Niger remain under prolonged transitional regimes.
Guinea’s decision to head to the polls places it at a crossroads of this regional trend. Yet the stakes extend beyond politics. As the holder of the world’s largest bauxite reserves and the site of the untapped Simandou iron ore deposit, Guinea’s stability is closely tied to global economic interests.
The December election, therefore, is more than a national milestone—it is a test of the country’s democratic trajectory, the credibility of its institutions, and its role in shaping West Africa’s uncertain political landscape.
