Guinea’s junta leader, General Mamady Doumbouya, was sworn in as president on Saturday before tens of thousands of supporters and several African heads of state, following his victory in last month’s election.
Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup that ousted Alpha Condé, Guinea’s first democratically elected president. Since then, his government has faced criticism over a crackdown on civil liberties, including the banning of protests and the arrest, trial, or exile of opposition figures.
The Supreme Court validated Doumbouya’s election victory earlier this month, crediting him with 86.7 per cent of the votes cast in the late December poll.
Dressed in a traditional outfit, Doumbouya took the oath of office at the General Lansana Conté Stadium on the outskirts of Conakry, pledging to uphold the constitution, which was amended to allow him to contest the election.
Although he initially promised not to run for president after taking power, Doumbouya eventually entered the race. Major opposition leaders were barred from contesting the election.
Doumbouya, who has largely stayed away from public appearances in recent months, did not campaign openly and relied mainly on pre-recorded video messages during the election period.
The inauguration ceremony was preceded by a concert that drew thousands of supporters dressed in green, yellow and red, the colours of Guinea’s national flag.
Several African leaders attended the event, including the presidents of Rwanda, The Gambia and Senegal. Mali’s junta leader, General Assimi Goita, was also present.
In September, Guineans approved a new constitution through a referendum. The document allowed members of the ruling junta to run for office and extended the presidential term from five to seven years, renewable once.
