On Monday, Guinea’s transitional authorities unveiled a draft of a new constitution aimed at reducing and setting limits on presidential terms, potentially enabling current military leader Mamady Doumbouya to run in the next presidential election.
The junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, had initially proposed a two-year transition to elections by 2022 after discussions with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). However, there has been little progress toward organizing a vote.
The new draft constitution, which will be subject to a referendum yet to be scheduled, could signal a return to constitutional governance for the West African country, known for its bauxite and iron ore production.
Presented to the National Transitional Council, acting as the interim parliament, the draft does not exclude junta members from participating in the electoral process. However, former President Alpha Conde, who was ousted almost three years ago, would be barred from running due to an age limit.
Conde had faced widespread criticism and unrest when he amended the previous constitution in 2020 to secure a third term, following his initial election in 2010.
If approved, the new constitution would set the presidential term at five years, renewable once, compared to the six-year term established by the 2020 constitution. The timing of the next presidential election remains uncertain.
