Guinea’s Doumbouya Schedules September 2025 Vote in Democratic Transition Efforts

Guinea’s military leader, Mamady Doumbouya, has set a constitutional referendum for September 21, 2025, aimed at restoring civilian governance. This follows an unfulfilled promise of elections after a 2021 coup and a missed deadline for civilian rule. Currently, political opposition is repressed, and the proposed constitution could allow Doumbouya to run in future elections, with the referendum needed before returning to constitutional governance.

Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea’s military leader, has announced a constitutional referendum scheduled for September 21, 2025, which is intended to pave the way for the reinstatement of civilian governance. This decision was communicated through a decree on state television on Tuesday. Doumbouya, who ascended to power following a coup in September 2021, had earlier promised a two-year transition towards elections in 2022 but failed to deliver.

Guinea has not fulfilled its commitment to restore civilian rule by the December 31, 2024 deadline. The country is significant in the production of bauxite and iron ore and is among several West African nations experiencing delays in their transitions back to democracy under military regimes. In July 2024, the military junta proposed a draft constitution, which could potentially enable Doumbouya to participate in the forthcoming presidential election.

It is crucial to note that authorities have stated the referendum must occur prior to any general elections or the re-establishment of constitutional governance in Guinea. Furthermore, political opposition has faced severe repression; both of Guinea’s former ruling parties remain suspended, and the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), a prominent opposition group, is currently under monitoring.

In summary, Guinea is taking steps towards a constitutional referendum, which represents a potential turning point in its path to restoring civilian rule. While this move has been welcomed as a sign of progress, significant challenges remain, including the suppression of opposition parties and a lack of prior successful transitions to democracy in the region. The upcoming referendum will be essential in determining Guinea’s political future.

Original Source: newscentral.africa