Conakry – Four years after the military seized power, Guineans will finally vote on a new draft constitution that would pave the way for elections but also permit the country’s junta leader to run for president, in a referendum boycotted by the opposition.
The Sunday vote, which Guineans and the international community have been awaiting for years, opens the way for stalled political elections in the west African nation. The country has been ruled with an iron fist by junta chief General Mamady Doumbouya since he overthrew elected civilian president Alpha Conde in 2021.
Some 6.7 million Guineans will be able to cast a ballot, out of a population of approximately 14.5 million people.
Among the poorest countries in the world despite having rich natural resources, such as bauxite and iron ore, Guinea has a long history of coups and violent authoritarian regimes.
Under international pressure, Guinea’s military initially pledged to return power to civilians before the end of 2024.
Staging a referendum has allowed the junta to deflect demands from the international community and donors to hold the election for a civilian government.
Guinea’s authorities are promising presidential and legislative elections before the end of the year, but have not yet set a date.
All signs point to a run by Doumbouya, despite his initial promise not to stand for election and to return power to the people.
“Since 2021 there has been no electoral contest of any kind, there haven’t been any votes, the government has delayed holding elections,” Franklin Nossiter, Sahel analyst at International Crisis Group, told AFP.
“Although when he took power Mamady Doumbouya was very clear that he was not going to hold on to power… it seems pretty clear (a run for office is) the direction where things are going,” Nossiter added.
If adopted, the new constitution would replace a “transition charter” established by the military government, which had prevented the junta’s leaders, government members and heads of institutions from standing in elections.
The stipulation does not exist in the draft constitution, thereby paving the way for Doumbouya’s run.
It remains to be seen how many voters will cast a ballot given the boycott, and when results will be released, with the junta not having given a date.
