General Mamady Doumbouya leads in disputed election as social media curbs

Preliminary results show Guinea’s military junta leader General Mamadi Doumbouya has a huge lead in the presidential election, with his main challenger barred from running.

General Doumbouya hopes to legitimize his rule after seizing power in a coup four years ago.

A civil society group campaigning for a return to civilian rule denounced the election as a “guessing game” while opposition candidates said the poll was marred by irregularities.

On Monday, internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that access to social media platforms TikTok, YouTube and Facebook was being restricted as Guineans awaited full results.

Officials have not yet commented on the restrictions, but opponents see them as an attempt by the junta to stifle criticism of the election results.

General Doumbouya, 41, won more than 80 percent of the vote in several districts of the capital Conakry, according to official partial results read out on television by the director of the general election department, Chenab Toure.

General Doumbuya also gained significant leads in several other areas, including Bofa and Fria in the west, Ghawar, Kundala and northern Labei in the northwest, and Nzerekore in the southeast.

After ousting then-83-year-old President Alpha Conte in 2021, he pledged not to seek elections and hand power to civilians.

“Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate… As Soldiers, we take our promises very seriously,” he said at the time.

After the new constitution implemented in September allowed him to run for office, General Doumbouya broke his promise and put his name on the ballot.

Eight other candidates took part in Sunday’s election, but with the main opposition parties RPG Arc en Ciel and UFDG being excluded, none of the participants has a solid political base.

Although General Doumbuya is popular with many young Guineans, he has been criticized for restricting opposition activities, banning protests and stifling press freedom ahead of elections.

The general ousted Conte on similar charges, including rampant corruption, disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement.

Guinea has the world’s largest bauxite reserves and some of the richest iron ore. Last month, authorities launched the giant Simandou iron ore mine amid widespread expectations.

However, more than half of the population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank.