Guinea's junta chief, Mamady Doumbouya, was elected president after securing 86.72% of the first-round vote, the country's election commission announced Tuesday. The election took place over the weekend, with Doumbouya facing eight rivals.
Doumbouya's candidacy marked a reversal of his earlier pledge not to seek office after leading a coup in 2021 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.
Doumbouya, 41, had initially promised to return the mineral-rich West African nation to civilian rule by the end of 2024. His decision to stand in the election was met with criticism from opposition groups and raised concerns about the transition to democracy.
The 2021 coup occurred amid growing discontent with the previous government and its handling of the country's resources. Doumbouya, a former French legionnaire, capitalized on this dissatisfaction to seize power. Since then, his administration has faced accusations of cracking down on civil liberties.
The election commission's announcement indicated that Doumbouya surpassed the threshold required to avoid a runoff vote. The results are expected to be contested by opposition groups, who have already voiced concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Guinea, with many urging a swift and peaceful transition to civilian rule.
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