By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Guinea’s junta leader, Mamady Doumbouya, will be inaugurated as as civilian President on January 17 following his electoral victory last month, the presidency announced Tuesday on social media.
This comes after the validation of his victory at the Supreme Court on Sunday, where he was credited with 86.7 per cent of the December 28 vote.
Doumbouya, who has not been seen publicly since voting in the election, will be sworn-in at the General Lansana Conte Stadium on the outskirts of the capital, Conakry, the Facebook post stated.
Doumbouya had initially pledged not to run for president after seizing power in 2021, he however reneged on that promise and stood for election in a race in which all main opposition leaders were disqualified.
The junta leader’s public appearances have been rare in recent weeks. Since his win, he has addressed the nation via a prerecorded video. Leading up to the vote, he made only one campaign appearance.
Doumbouya four years ago led a coup to topple Guinea’s first freely elected President, Alpha Conde.
During his time as junta leader, he has cracked down on civil liberties and banned protests, while opponents have been arrested, put on trial, or driven into exile.
Several political parties and media outlets were additionally suspended, and demonstrations were banned in 2022.
In late September, Guineans approved a new constitution in a referendum that permitted junta members to run for office, paving the way for Doumbouya’s candidacy.
