Mamady Doumbouya, the head of Guinea's junta, 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, despite a boycott called for by 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 not to run for office and to return the country 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, critics have accused him of cracking down on civil liberties. The recent election has raised concerns about the transition to civilian rule and the consolidation of democracy in the West African nation.
The opposition's boycott stemmed from the barring of key leaders from participating in the election. These leaders argued that the conditions for a free and fair election were not met, and urged their supporters to abstain from voting.
Doumbouya's election victory avoids a runoff vote. The implications of his continued rule for Guinea's political landscape and its relationship with international partners remain to be seen.
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