Guinea Supreme Court Upholds Doumbouya’s Election Victory

Guinea’s Supreme Court has affirmed the presidential election victory of General Mamadi Doumbouya, solidifying his transition from coup leader to elected head of state, government officials said on Sunday.

The court ruling confirmed that Doumbouya won the December 28 vote with a significant majority, validating results that followed the approval of a new constitution allowing a serving military leader to contest presidential elections.

In a statement after the decision, Doumbouya called for national unity and urged citizens to work together toward peace, justice and economic progress. His opponents had filed petitions challenging aspects of the electoral process, but many withdrew their complaints before the court’s judgment.

Opposition figures and civil society groups have previously voiced concerns about the credibility of the poll, citing restrictions on political activity and allegations of uneven competition. Despite these objections, the court’s confirmation clears a major legal hurdle for the new administration.

In his first address to the nation after official results were released, Doumbouya adopted a unifying tone.

“Today, there are neither winners nor losers. There is only one Guinea, united and indivisible,” the president-elect said in a broadcast late Sunday, calling on citizens to “build a new Guinea, a Guinea of peace, justice, shared prosperity, and fully assumed political and economic sovereignty.”

Guinea’s political landscape has been unsettled since the 2021 military takeover that removed former president Alpha Condé. Regional leaders and international partners have repeatedly called for inclusive governance and respect for democratic norms following the transition.

The Supreme Court’s decision is likely to influence diplomatic and economic engagement with Guinea, as foreign governments and organisations assess the country’s political trajectory.

SOURCE: AP