Military leader Doumbouya sworn in as Guinea’s president

The West African nation’s president has been sworn in by Mamady Doumbouya, a general who led the military takeover of Guinea in 2021.

Doumbaya was defeated in the election last month, but the Saturday event took place in front of tens of thousands of supporters and several heads of state.

The vote marked the first since Doumbouya replaced Alpha Conde as president four years ago.

Doumbouya ultimately ran against eight other candidates in the election, despite his initial pledge to abstain from running for president once he gained control. However, his most renowned foes remained imprisoned, with the opposition calling for a poll-boycott.

Doumbouya received 86.7% of the vote, according to the West African nation’s Supreme Court.

Doumbouya took an oath to support the constitution, which had recently been amended to allow him to stand, during an hours-long ceremony at Conakry’s General Lansana Conte Stadium.

He ostensibly reaffirms his commitment to upholding and faithfully upholding the Constitution, the laws, regulations, and judicial decisions before God and the people of Guinea, on my honor.

As well as officials from France and the United States, officials from Rwanda, The Gambia, Senegal, and other African nations came to the event along with vice presidents of China, Nigeria, Ghana, and Equatorial Guinea.

Assimi Goita, a general who has led neighboring Mali since a military takeover in 2020, was also present.

Guineans approved a new constitution in September that made it possible for members of the military leadership to run for office, prompting the election. Additionally, it increased the term limits for presidential candidates from five to seven years, establishing a two-term limit.

Doumbouya argued that Conde’s military takeover was justified because of alleged corruption and economic mismanagement. He became the nation’s first freely elected president since its 1958 independence in 2010.

As it negotiated with regional bodies, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), about a return to democratic civilian rule after four years in power, the military suspended the constitution and dissolved state institutions.

During his leadership as leader, Doumbouya repressed civil liberties, outlawed protests, and targeted political opponents.