Guineans went to the polls on Sunday for a presidential election that is widely expected to secure a seven-year term for Mamady Doumbouya, the former special forces commander who seized power in a 2021 coup.
Facing a fragmented field of eight other candidates with no strong challengers, Doumbouya’s victory is seen by many voters as a foregone conclusion that will complete the nation’s transition back to civilian rule.
His popularity has been bolstered by a turn towards resource nationalism, including pushing forward the massive Simandou iron ore project, and his relative youth in a country with a median age of 19.
However, the election is clouded by controversy, as Doumbouya is running despite a post-coup charter that barred junta members from contesting, a clause that was later removed by a new constitution.
The United Nations rights chief has also warned that a restricted campaign period marked by intimidation and media curbs could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
