by Nurat Uthman
Guinea’s transitional authorities have presented a draft of a new constitution which will reduce and set presidential term limits, and potentially allow current military leader Mamady Doumbouya to participate in the next presidential election.
The junta that took power in a coup in 2021 proposed a two-year transition to elections in 2022 after negotiating with the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc, but has shown little sign of moving to organise a vote.
The new draft constitution, expected to be voted in a yet to be decided referendum, could pave the way for the bauxite and iron ore-producing West African nation to return to constitutional rule.
The new text, presented on Monday at the National Transitional Council, which acts as parliament under the interim regime, did not forbid members of the ruling junta from participating in the electoral process.
Former president Alpha Conde, 86, who was overthrown by soldiers almost three years ago, would be excluded from the race due to the age limit.
Conde sparked widespread anger and instability until the coup, after he changed the constitution to allow himself to stand for a third term in office in 2020, after coming to power in 2010.
If the draft of the new constitution gets approval, the president will be elected for a five-year term renewable once, reducing the presidential term from six years in the constitution that was approved in 2020.
It remains unclear for now when presidential elections will be held.
