Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea's junta leader, is the frontrunner to be elected president, a development that has sparked anger from the opposition who accuse him of betraying his promise to restore democracy after leading the 2021 coup. Doumbouya, then a colonel in the Guinean army, seized power in September 2021, overthrowing Alpha Condé, the country's longtime leader. In a speech following the coup, Doumbouya stated that the soldiers were acting to restore the will of the people, asserting that "the will of the strongest has always supplanted the law."
Doumbouya subsequently announced a 36-month timeline for transition to civilian rule in the resource-rich West African nation. This timeline drew criticism from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), which advocated for a faster return to democracy. His actions have triggered widespread protests and criticism.
Critics argue that Doumbouya's consolidation of power since becoming president makes his victory in any upcoming election a foregone conclusion. The opposition views his candidacy as a betrayal of his initial pledge to restore democracy. The political climate remains tense as Guinea navigates its path toward a return to civilian rule.
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