Guinea’s junta announced that presidential elections will be held on December 28, state television reported Saturday. The announcement followed the Supreme Court’s validation of a September referendum approving a new constitution, clearing the path for polls.
Opposition parties had urged voters to boycott the referendum, accusing General Mamady Doumbouya of manipulating power for personal gain. The court rejected the opposition’s request Friday to annul the referendum, dismissing claims of irregularities and procedural flaws.
Signs indicate Doumbouya may contest the presidency despite an earlier pledge not to seek office, raising political tensions. Guinea, a poor West African nation, has endured decades of coups, unrest, and authoritarian regimes disrupting civilian governance.
The 2021 military coup ousted President Alpha Conde, with promises to restore civilian rule by 2024 that were later abandoned. United Nations rights chief Volker Turk called on the junta to lift restrictions on opposition parties and independent media.
Turk condemned escalating violations, including arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances, highlighting a broader assault on fundamental rights since the coup. As December approaches, Guinea stands at a crossroads, balancing fragile democratic promises against entrenched military authority and public scepticism.