Guinea to hold constitutional referendum, elections in 2025 after four years of military rule

Guinea’s ruling military junta has announced plans to hold a constitutional referendum followed by presidential and legislative elections before the end of 2025, signaling a potential return to civilian rule after four years of military governance.
Prime minister Amadou Oury Bah confirmed the timeline, emphasizing that constitutional order would be restored, though no specific dates were given for the polls. The military-led government, headed by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, had initially pledged to transition to civilian rule by 2024 but faced delays, partly due to challenges in finalizing the new Constitution and electoral roll. Bah acknowledged these hurdles, warning that they could destabilize the process. The proposed constitutional changes include setting presidential term limits and addressing eligibility for the current junta members, potentially allowing them to contest the elections.
Despite Doumbouya’s repeated statements that he would not run, reports suggest pressure is mounting within his circle for him to join the race. However, the transition is clouded by ongoing concerns over political repression. Key opposition figures, such as Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah, have been missing for months, fueling suspicions of government involvement. The international community, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has been closely monitoring the commitment of Guinea’s military junta to restoring democracy and been pushing it the for a return to civilian rule.