Wayne Lumbasi
In a dramatic twist to Guinea’s political landscape, military ruler Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup, has officially declared his candidacy for the country’s upcoming December 28, 2025 presidential election.
Doumbouya, who has led the transitional government for the past four years, submitted his nomination papers on Monday at the Supreme Court in Conakry. Escorted by heavily armed guards and greeted by cheering crowds, the former special forces commander made no public remarks but appeared confident as supporters chanted his name outside the courthouse.
When Doumbouya overthrew President Alpha conde in 2021, he pledged not to run in the election that would follow the transition saying “Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything… As soldiers, we value our word very much.” But a controversial new constitution, backed by a referendum in September, reshaped the political landscape, striking the previous ban on junta members running for office and imposing new eligibility rules, including a requirement for candidates to be aged 40 to 80 and reside in Guinea.
Opposition leaders including former President Alpha Condé (87) and former Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo (73) have been sidelined by the new rules, sparking criticism from pro-democracy groups.
Several civilian contenders such as former Prime Minister Lansana Kouyaté and former Foreign Minister Hadja Makalé Camara have also entered the race.
Doumbouya had not previously declared his intention to run in the December 28 polls, but his candidacy was widely expected following last month’s approval of the new constitution.
Both Guineans and the international community have been calling for elections to restore constitutional governance to the country of 14.5 million, which has been under military rule for four years.
As the nation heads toward the polls, many observers view the election as a defining test of whether Doumbouya can transform his military rule into democratic legitimacy or whether the country will remain trapped in its cycle of power struggles.
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