Conakry, Guinea – December 30, 2025 (Clarion Newschannel)
– Guineans went to the polls on Sunday, December 28, in the country’s first presidential election since the 2021 military coup, with transitional leader General Mamady Doumbouya widely expected to secure a decisive victory and a seven-year term against a field of eight lesser-known challengers.
Doumbouya, who led the September 2021 coup that ousted longtime President Alpha Condé, arrived to vote in Conakry accompanied by his wife and flanked by armed commandos. Dressed in a white robe and sunglasses, he waved to supporters but made no public statements. The 41-year-old former special forces commander initially pledged not to run for office and to restore civilian rule swiftly, but a new constitution approved in a controversial September referendum removed barriers for junta members to contest elections and extended presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once.
Key opposition figures were effectively sidelined ahead of the vote. Prominent leaders including exiled former Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, former Prime Minister Sidya Touré, and the ousted Condé himself were barred due to residency requirements in the new constitution mandating candidates live in Guinea. Other potential challengers faced disqualification over documentation issues. The remaining nine candidates, including Abdoulaye Yéro Baldé of the Democratic Front of Guinea and Faya Millimono of the Liberal Bloc, are seen as posing little threat in a fragmented field.
Approximately 6.7 million registered voters cast ballots at over 23,000 polling stations, with nearly 12,000 police officers deployed for security. The campaign period was described as peaceful but uneven, with critics accusing the junta of restricting civic space, banning protests since 2022, and intimidating opponents. The United Nations human rights chief highlighted concerns over media constraints and politically motivated disappearances. Several opposition groups called for a boycott, labeling the process an “electoral charade.”
Doumbouya’s popularity stems in part from advances in Guinea’s mining sector, a cornerstone of the economy. The nation holds the world’s largest bauxite reserves and recently launched the long-delayed Simandou iron ore megaproject—one of the richest untapped deposits globally—expected to drive growth and jobs despite persistent poverty affecting over half the population.
Provisional results are anticipated within two to three days, with final validation by the Supreme Court. Analysts predict a first-round win for Doumbouya, further consolidating military influence in a region that has seen multiple coups in recent years.
Clarion Newschannel will provide updates as results emerge from Guinea’s closely watched transition election.
Guinea’s Coup Leader Seeks Electoral Crown: Doumbouya Heavy Favorite in Presidential Vote Amid Barred Opposition
