General Mamadi Doumbouya, the military leader who seized power in a coup four years ago, has formally submitted his candidacy for Guinea’s upcoming presidential election, reneging on his public commitment not to run.
Doumbouya, 40, submitted his papers to the Supreme Court for the next month’s election, a move that critics argue consolidates military rule under a thin veneer of democracy. Shortly after overthrowing 83-year-old President Alpha Condé in September 2021, Doumbouya famously promised, “Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything…As soldiers, we value our word very much.”
The general’s candidacy follows a series of controversial steps by the junta to reshape the political landscape such a a new constitution for the country, high financial hurdle, suspension of rival parties and extended official terms.
A recent constitutional referendum, which opposition parties were banned from participating in, created new rules allowing junta members to run for office. The new constitution extends the presidential mandate from five to seven years, potentially allowing Doumbouya to remain in power for a lengthy term.
Prior to his official entry into the race, Gen. Doumbouya’s government took actions that effectively marginalized major political rivals: Guinea’s two biggest opposition parties, the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG Arc en Ciel) and the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), were temporarily suspended from political activities. This followed a previous 90-day suspension in August 2025 ahead of the constitutional referendum.
The financial deposit required for presidential candidates was increased to 875 million Guinean francs ($100,000; £75,000) from the previous 800 million francs, making it difficult for many potential candidates to compete.
Doumbouya’s 2021 coup was initially justified by citing “rampant corruption, disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement” under President Condé. However, over the past four years, his military government has faced mounting criticism for cracking down on peaceful dissent and continuing many of the practices he had condemned.
Gen. Doumbouya is now set to join the ranks of other African coup leaders who have transitioned to civilian presidency, often through elections widely seen as designed to guarantee victory.
