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 nation's longtime leader. In a speech following the coup, Doumbouya asserted that the soldiers acted to restore the will of the people, stating, "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 quicker return to democracy. His actions also triggered widespread protests.

Critics argue that Doumbouya's consolidation of power since ascending to the presidency makes his victory in any upcoming election a foregone conclusion. The opposition views his potential election as a betrayal of his initial pledge to restore democracy.

The political climate in Guinea remains tense as the country navigates its transition. The international community and regional bodies like Ecowas are closely monitoring the situation, urging a swift and genuine return to civilian rule. The next steps in Guinea's political future remain uncertain, but the opposition's anger highlights the challenges in achieving a consensus on the path forward.