By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Junta-led Guinea has commenced transition to civilian rule following a referendum for constitutional amendment which the opposition denounced as a “sham”.
In a decree published on Saturday, the military government said presidential election, the first in four years will hold on 28th December, 2025.
According to official statistics, the referendum passed with an 89% score of “yes” votes, clearing the way to amend the country’s constitution.
It reportedly witnessed 86% of voters participation. It was however boycotted by the opposition, which called it an “electoral masquerade”, noting that the results “were known in advance”.
Head of the transition government General Mamady Doumbouya, who came to power after a military coup that ousted former President Alpha Condé from office in 2021 had previously promised not to run in the presidential election.
The referendum however allows him to contest as a civilian leader.
Additionally, it has raised presidential term from five to seven years and is renewable once.
It also creates a Senate, which third of its members are directly appointed by the President.
Doumbouya has been accused of ruling with iron fist since he came to power, while opposition figures have condemned the crackdown on dissidents and free speech.
