Mamady Doumbouya, the head of Guinea's junta, was elected president after securing 86.72% of the first-round vote, according to the country's election commission on Tuesday. The election took place over the weekend, despite calls for a boycott from main opposition leaders who were barred from running.
Doumbouya, 41, faced eight rivals in the presidential race. His decision to stand for election marked a reversal of his earlier pledge to not run for office and to return the West African nation to civilian rule by the end of 2024.
Doumbouya initially seized power in a 2021 coup, ousting Guinea's first freely elected president. Since then, his leadership has been marked by a crackdown on civil liberties, according to reports. The recent election has raised concerns about the transition to civilian rule and the future of democracy in Guinea.
The election commission's announcement indicated that Doumbouya surpassed the threshold needed to avoid a runoff vote. The opposition's absence from the ballot box raises questions about the legitimacy and inclusiveness of the electoral process.
Guinea is a mineral-rich but impoverished nation in West Africa. The political instability and questions surrounding the election's fairness could have implications for the country's economic development and international relations. Further details and reactions to the election results are expected in the coming days.
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