Polls opened in Guinea on Sunday for a referendum that could allow the leader of the country’s junta to run for the presidency and is being closely watched in the coup-battered region. Citizens of this coastal West African country are casting their ballots in favour or against a new draft constitution, the key step in the country’s transition from military rule to civilian rule. Elections are expected to follow in December. Guinea is one of a growing number of West African countries, including Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, where the military has taken power and delayed a return to civilian rule.
Critics say Sunday’s referendum is a way for Mamadi Doumbouya, who ousted President Alpha Conde in 2021, to seek the presidency and legitimise his military rule. There are 6.7 million eligible voters and the referendum needs a voter turnout of at least 50 per cent to pass. Polls opened at 7 am local time and are expected to close at 6 pm. In the last days of the campaign, Conakry, Guinea’s capital, was buzzing with activity. There were Quran readings, reggae concerts and prayers held in support of Doumbouya.
Supporters wearing T-shirts and boubous — traditional West African flowing garments — printed with Doumbouya’s face, gathered at neighbourhood rallies. Only one thing was missing” the opposition. Campaigning was banned on Friday and Saturday but the referendum remained omnipresent. Public and private buildings in Conakry remained plastered with “Yes” campaign billboards calling for approval of the referendum. At a concert held Friday night in one of Conakry’s bars, band members sang a song about Doumbouya, repeatedly chanting “Oui! Oui! Oui!,” or “Yes! Yes! Yes!” in French, the country’s official language.