Guinea to Hold Elections After Referendum Extends Presidential Powers

Guinea’s prime minister announced new presidential and legislative elections this year after a controversial referendum approved a new constitution. The changes allow junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya to run for president, extend terms to seven years, and create a Senate partly appointed by him. Opposition leaders rejected the results, citing fraud and voter suppression.

Less than a week after Guinea’s controversial constitutional referendum, the country’s prime minister has confirmed that new presidential and legislative elections will be organized before the end of the year, a move that has further fueled political debate across the nation.

The referendum, which was closely monitored both domestically and internationally, produced results showing that 89.38% of voters endorsed the proposed constitution. This figure represented a slight reduction from the initially reported 90.06%. Nonetheless, with an impressive voter turnout surpassing 86%, the referendum cleared the required threshold of 50% with ease, ensuring its passage by a wide margin.

The adoption of the new constitution introduces sweeping changes to Guinea’s political framework. Most notably, it grants the current junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, the right to contest in future presidential elections. This decision has raised eyebrows, as Doumbouya had previously assured citizens that he would not run for office, instead presenting himself as a transitional figure. The amendments also extend the length of a presidential term from five years to seven years, with the possibility of two renewals, significantly prolonging any leader’s potential stay in power. Additionally, the constitution provides for the creation of a Senate, which will serve as a new legislative chamber. Importantly, one-third of the Senate seats will be directly appointed by the president, a clause that has attracted criticism for further centralizing power in the executive branch.

Opposition groups and political figures have strongly condemned both the referendum process and its outcome. They allege widespread irregularities, including ballot-stuffing, the use of pre-marked ballot papers, and deliberate voter suppression in areas considered opposition strongholds. According to them, the credibility of the entire exercise has been undermined by these practices. One opposition leader went as far as to claim that the official results were drawn up before citizens even cast their votes, describing the referendum as nothing more than a staged performance to legitimize the ruling junta’s hold on power.

The controversy has deepened political divisions within Guinea, with government officials presenting the new constitution as a pathway to stability and reform, while critics argue it is designed to entrench the authority of Mamadi Doumbouya and weaken democratic checks and balances. International observers are closely watching the unfolding situation, as Guinea faces a critical year that could shape the country’s political direction for decades to come.