GUINEA INAUGURATES MAMADY DOUMBOUYA AS PRESIDENT, ENDING YEARS OF MILITARY RULE
By: Osman Marah
In a historic ceremony on January 17, 2026, General Mamady Doumbouya was officially sworn in as president of the Republic of Guinea, marking what authorities describe as the culmination of a transition from military to civilian rule that began after a 2021 coup.
The inauguration, held at the newly constructed General Lansana Conté Stadium on the outskirts of the capital Conakry, brought together regional leaders, government officials, foreign diplomats and thousands of Guineans, signaling a new chapter in the country’s political life.
Doumbouya secured his seven-year presidential mandate by winning the December 28, 2025 presidential election with an overwhelming majority official results showed he received about 86.7 % of the vote against a fragmented field of eight challengers. The victory was later confirmed by Guinea’s Supreme Court, validating his move from junta leader to elected head of state.
The December election was the first since Doumbouya’s 2021 coup ousted long-time leader Alpha Condé, and took place under a new constitution approved in a September referendum that removed bans on military leaders running for office and extended presidential terms to seven years.
The inauguration drew high-profile guests from across Africa, including heads of state and senior officials. Notable attendees included President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda all seen as guests of honor. Their presence underscored the regional interest in Guinea’s political transition and its wider implications for West African stability and democratic governance.
Other leaders and representatives included officials from Senegal, China, Nigeria, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, France and the United States, as well as Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goïta highlighting both regional and international attention on Guinea’s political future.
In his oath of office, Doumbouya pledged to uphold the constitution and work toward unity, stability and improved governance for the West African nation. He spoke to a crowd of supporters dressed in national colors, emphasizing his commitment to national development.
However, critics have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the expanded role of the military in politics. Human rights groups and opposition figures have accused the government of restricting civil liberties, limiting protest rights, and side-lining opposition voices concerns that remain part of the broader conversation about Guinea’s democratic trajectory.
Economically, Guinea continues to face challenges. Despite its vast mineral wealth including the world’s largest bauxite reserves and significant iron ore deposits poverty and food insecurity persist among a substantial portion of the population. Doumbouya’s administration has pledged to leverage these resources to accelerate development.
