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 a boycott called for by main opposition leaders who were barred from running.

Doumbouya, 41, initially pledged not to run for office after leading a coup in 2021 that ousted Guinea's first freely elected president. His decision to stand in the election is seen as a reversal of his promise to return the West African country to civilian rule by the end of 2024. Eight candidates ran against Doumbouya for the presidency.

The opposition's boycott followed the barring of key leaders from participating in the election. These leaders argued that the conditions for a fair and transparent election were not met.

Doumbouya's rise to power began when he led a military coup that removed Alpha Condé from office. Condé had altered the constitution to allow himself to seek a third term, sparking widespread protests and political unrest. Since seizing power, Doumbouya's junta has faced criticism for cracking down on civil liberties.

The election commission's announcement indicated that Doumbouya surpassed the threshold needed to avoid a runoff vote. The results are expected to be certified in the coming days, paving the way for Doumbouya's inauguration. The international community is closely watching Guinea's political transition, with concerns raised about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process.