Guinea's transitional ruler Doumbouya files presidential bid

Guinea's military leader General Mamady Doumbouya has officially entered the country's presidential race, submitting his candidacy to the Supreme Court ahead of December 28 elections that are meant to restore constitutional order following a 2021 coup.

Arriving and leaving the Supreme Court via armoured vehicle and surrounded by special forces on Monday, Doumbouya gave no statement.

Thousands of supporters from across the country, who had travelled to the capital by bus, gathered outside the court in advance of his official submission.

Guinea has previously witnessed several coups. However, it experienced a period of democratic transition following the November 2010 election of longtime opposition leader Alpha Conde.

New constitution

The period ended when Doumbouya seized power in September 2021 following Conde's ouster.

Guineans and the international community have been calling for the vote, which is meant to return the country of 14.5 million to constitutional order following its four years of military rule.

At the end of September, Guineans approved a new constitution that both paved the way for the elections and also permitted Doumbouya to run for president.

Guinea's opposition had called on voters to stay home, denouncing the referendum as a "charade" for the military leadership to stay in power.

Other candidates file presidential bids

However, Guineans flooded to the polls and resoundingly chose to implement the constitution, with 89% supporting the charter, according to official results.

A number of other candidates also officially submitted their presidential applications on Monday, including the president of the National Alliance Front (FAN) party Makale Camara, who is a former minister of foreign affairs.