Guinea referendum extends presidential terms amid opposition boycott

A referendum is currently underway in Guinea on a draft constitution that would extend presidential terms and permit military members to run for office. The vote is being boycotted by opposition parties, who are protesting a broader crackdown on dissent. General Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup, has pledged to return the country to civilian rule, but the proposed charter has sparked controversy.

Under the draft, presidential terms would increase from five to seven years, and the rules for political parties to contest elections would become more restrictive. It would also allow members of the armed forces to seek elected positions, a provision sharply criticized by the opposition. Despite the boycott, the “yes” campaign remains active, organizing rallies, Quran readings, concerts and plastering Conakry with posters. In contrast, the “no” campaign is barely visible; opposition leaders Cellou Dalein Diallo and deposed former President Alpha Conde have called for a boycott, their parties are suspended, and activists have been excluded from the campaign.

Rafiou Sow, president of the suspended Renewal and Progress Party, noted that many Guineans are illiterate and therefore depend on information supplied by the “yes” campaign. The UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner has urged the military authorities to ensure a peaceful, transparent referendum, expressing concerns about the inclusiveness and free participation of all citizens.

The referendum is expected to pass, but the results will not be known until at least Tuesday evening. Guinea joins several West African nations where the military has seized power and delayed a return to civilian rule, with leaders seeking to pivot away from former coloniser France toward closer ties with Russia. The outcome will have significant implications for Guinea’s political stability and its relations with the international community. As the country awaits the results, doubts about the legitimacy and transparency of the process persist, and the international community will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and what impact it will have on the region.