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, with Doumbouya facing eight rivals.

Doumbouya's decision to run for president marked a reversal of his earlier pledge not to seek office. He had initially promised to transition the country back to civilian rule by the end of 2024 after seizing power in a 2021 coup that ousted Guinea's first freely elected president.

The main opposition leaders were barred from participating in the election and had called for a boycott. These leaders argued that the conditions for a fair and transparent election were not met, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the process.

Doumbouya led a coup in 2021, overthrowing Guinea's democratically elected president and subsequently cracking down on civil liberties. His rise to power occurred amidst growing discontent over alleged corruption and economic stagnation in the mineral-rich nation. The junta, under Doumbouya's leadership, has since faced criticism from international organizations and human rights groups regarding its governance and human rights record.

The election commission's announcement indicated that Doumbouya surpassed the threshold required to avoid a runoff vote. The results are expected to be ratified by the constitutional court, after which Doumbouya will be formally inaugurated as president. The international community is closely watching the developments in Guinea, with many stakeholders urging a return to democratic governance and respect for human rights.