Coup leader wins Presidential election

Guinea coup leader Mamady Doumbouya has been elected President, according to provisional results, completing the return to civilian rule in the bauxite- and iron ore-rich West African nation, reports the Sunday Times. The former special forces commander, thought to be in his early 40s, seized power in 2021, toppling then-President Alpha Conde, who had been in office since 2010. It was one in a series of nine coups that have reshaped politics in West and Central Africa since 2020. The provisional results showed Doumbouya winning 86.72% of the 28 December vote, an absolute majority that allows him to avoid a run-off. Doumbouya’s victory, which gives him a seven-year mandate, was widely expected. Conde and Cellou Dalein Diallo, Guinea’s longtime opposition leader, are in exile, which left Doumbouya to face a fragmented field of eight challengers. The original post-coup charter in Guinea barred junta members from running in elections, but a Constitution dropping the restrictions was passed in a September referendum. Political debate has been muted under Doumbouya. Civil society groups accuse his government of banning protests, curbing press freedom and restricting opposition activity. Opposition candidate Faya Lansana Millimono told a press conference the election was marred by ‘systematic fraudulent practices’ and observers were prevented from monitoring the voting and counting processes. The government did not respond to a request for comment.