The military leader who has governed Guinea since a coup four years back has now joined the presidential race, violating a previous commitment to transfer authority to a civilian administration.
Col Mamadi Doumbouya filed his candidacy at the Supreme Court on Monday, accompanied by soldiers and sporting black sunglasses. He refrained from making any public statements.
Two of the largest opposition parties in Guinea – RPG Arc en Ciel and UFDG – have been barred from the upcoming December election.
This situation has sparked worries regarding the legitimacy of the election.
When it was revealed last month that presidential candidates would have to pay a deposit of 875 million Guinean francs ($100,000; £75,000) in order to run for office, Guineans were shocked.
Some analysts had hoped that the previous deposit, which was nearly as high at 800 million francs, would be lowered in order to encourage more candidates to run in these historic elections. Col. Doumbouya had promised to return power to civilians four years prior, stating, “Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything.”
As soldiers, we place a high value on our word. Col Doumbouya is eligible to run for president under the new constitution that governs the election. The Guinean government has been suppressing nonviolent protest under his leadership, including efforts to organize the populace for a return to democratic governance.
The junta has come under fire for violently suppressing protests, limiting internet access, and suspending media outlets. Col. Doumbouya, however, defended depos.
