By Mevlut Ozkan
ISTANBUL (AA) -Guinea will hold its first presidential election since the 2021 military coup on Dec. 28, marking a key step in the West African country’s return to civilian rule.
“The date of the poll for the presidential election is set for Sunday, December 28, 2025, throughout the entire national territory,” according to a presidential decree read on the state-run broadcaster RTG late on Saturday.
The announcement came after the country’s Supreme Court confirmed on Friday the results of the Sept. 21 constitutional referendum, which Guineans overwhelmingly supported.
The new constitution extends the presidential term from five to seven years, permits one reelection, establishes a senate with one-third of its members appointed by the president, and creates a special court for trying top officials.
It also grants immunity to former presidents and, for the first time, allows independent candidates to run, provisions that have fueled speculation about transitional President Mamadi Doumbouya’s political ambitions.
Mamady Doumbouya, a Guinean military officer who has been serving as the country's president since Sept. 5, 2021, has not announced running in the December presidential election.
His National Council of the Rally for Development (CNRD) ousted longtime President Alpha Conde on Sept. 5, 2021.