Guinea vote backs new constitution

More than 90 % of Guinean voters backed a constitutional referendum that could clear the way for junta leader Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya to run for president, provisional results showed. Turnout hit 91.4 % in over 80 % of polling stations, surpassing the 50 % threshold required for validation. The Directorate General of Elections reported 90.06 % in favor and 9.04 % against the new charter.

The draft constitution reshapes the balance of power between the executive and legislature, a change supporters say will modernize governance after years of unrest. Officials hailed the vote as a step toward political stability and a mandate for reform, emphasizing that the new framework introduces clearer procedures for elections, a stronger role for the judiciary and provisions intended to curb corruption.

Opposition parties, civil‑society groups and human‑rights organisations denounced the outcome as a power grab. Critics argue the text expands presidential authority, weakens checks and balances and entrenches the current ruling elite. They point to clauses that allow the president to dissolve parliament and to appoint a larger share of senior officials without parliamentary consent. Demonstrations erupted in several cities before and after the poll; security forces were deployed in Conakry and other urban centers, and clashes between protesters and police were reported, with a handful of injuries recorded.

Regional observers noted the result underscores deep divisions within Guinea, where citizens remain split over the nation’s future direction. While authorities celebrate the referendum as a foundation for stability, opponents pledge to keep contesting what they view as an effort to consolidate power rather than share it. International NGOs warned that the heavy security presence could suppress peaceful assembly and called for transparent monitoring of the implementation phase.

The vote places Guinea alongside Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso as another West African state under military rule, drawing close scrutiny from regional bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, both of which have urged a swift return to civilian governance. Analysts suggest that, if the constitution is enacted, Doumbouya could legally stand in the next presidential election, potentially extending the junta’s influence for another decade.

The outcome marks a pivotal moment in the country’s transition from military to civilian governance, raising hopes for steadier politics but also sparking fears of renewed confrontation in the months ahead.