Guinea’s military ruler, Gen Mamadi Doumbouya, has officially entered the presidential race—four years after seizing power in a coup and vowing to return the country to civilian rule.
The general, dressed in military attire and trademark black sunglasses, submitted his candidacy at the Supreme Court on Monday, surrounded by soldiers. He offered no public remarks during the event.
The announcement has sparked concern over the credibility of next month’s election, particularly as two major opposition parties — RPG Arc-en-Ciel and UFDG — have been barred from participating.
Adding to the controversy, presidential hopefuls must now pay a deposit of 875 million Guinean francs (about $100,000 / £75,000) to contest the poll — a figure slightly higher than in previous elections, despite public hopes it would be lowered to encourage broader participation.
Gen Doumbouya’s decision marks a striking reversal from his earlier pledge in 2021, when he assured Guineans that “neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything… As soldiers, we value our word very much.”
The December election will be conducted under a new constitution that enables the general to run for president.
During his rule, the junta has faced mounting criticism for its crackdown on dissent, including restrictions on media, internet access, and public demonstrations. Ironically, these were the same grievances Gen Doumbouya cited when he ousted then-83-year-old President Alpha Condé, accusing him of corruption and abuse of power.
Before leading the 2021 coup, Doumbouya was a mid-ranking officer with a 15-year military career spanning missions in Afghanistan, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, the Central African Republic, and security assignments in Israel, Cyprus, the UK, and Guinea.
At 40 years old, he remains one of Africa’s youngest heads of state.
The upcoming election will notably exclude several of Guinea’s most prominent political figures, including former President Condé and ex-Prime Ministers Cellou Dalein Diallo and Sidya Touré, all currently living in exile.