Draft Constitution sets presidential age limit

Guinea's transitional authorities have presented a draft of a new Constitution that 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 it has shown little sign of moving to organise a vote. Voice of America reports that the new draft Constitution, expected to be voted on in a yet-to-be decided referendum, could pave the way for the nation to return to constitutional rule. The new text, presented 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), overthrown by soldiers almost three years ago, would be excluded from the race due to the age limit. While in office, Conde sparked widespread anger and instability when 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 that is renewable once, reducing the presidential term from six years in the Constitution that was approved in 2020.

Full Voice of America report