By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Guinea’s military commander, Gen Mamadi Doumbouya, has submitted his candidacy for the presidency in next month’s election, breaking an earlier promise to hand power to a civilian government.
The move has raised concerns about the credibility of the election, with two major opposition parties, RPG Arc en Ciel and UFDG, already excluded from the contest.
Gen Doumbouya, 40, submitted his application at the Supreme Court on Monday, accompanied by soldiers and wearing black sunglasses, but made no public comment.
The election is being held under a new constitution that allows him to run for the presidency.
The announcement has sparked concerns about the legitimacy of the election, particularly given the exclusion of major opposition parties and the high deposit required for candidates to contest the election.
Presidential candidates must pay 875m Guinean francs ($100,000; £75,000), a fee that has shocked many Guineans.
Gen Doumbouya had previously pledged to hand power back to civilians, saying “Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything… As soldiers, we value our word very much.” However, his administration has been criticized for cracking down on peaceful dissent, suspending media outlets, restricting internet access, and brutally suppressing demonstrations.
Gen Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup, citing corruption, disregard for human rights, and economic mismanagement by then-President Alpha Condé.
The 2021 coup marked a significant turning point in Guinea’s history, and many are questioning whether the country is truly moving towards democratic rule.
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