From coup leader to president: Mamady Doumbouya wins Guinea controversial elections

Guinea coup leader Mamady Doumbouya secured a landmark victory in presidential elections, as shown by provisional results.

This is the first time the general election is held in the country since a military takeover in 2021.

According to results announced on Tuesday, Doumbouya bagged 86.72 percent of the votes that took place on December, 28. The absolute majority allowed him to evade a runoff and gave him a 7-year mandate.

A statement issued by the DGE stated, “After centralization, verification and compilation of the provisional results of the first round of the Dec., 28, 2025 presidential election, acting in strict compliance with legality, it proclaims candidate Mamady Doumbouya, having obtained an absolute majority of valid votes, elected in the presidential election on a provisional basis.”

Doumbouya’s victory was seen unquestionable in the election as his long-time rivals Alpha Conde and Cellou Dalein Diallo, are in exile, leaving him with no major opposition.

The polls are widely seen as a means to legitimize Doumbouya’s stay in power and successfully transition from military rule to civilian government.

Opposition candidate Faya Millimono accused that the election was marred by “systematic fraudulent practices, stating expulsion of poll observers, ballot stuffing and intimidation.”

According to the Supreme Court orders, the election results can be challenged within 8 days.

The junta chief and former special forces commander seized power in 2021 after toppling then-president Alpha Conde who had been in power since 2010.

Like other nine coups in West and Central Africa, this coup also shaped the political landscape in Guinea.