Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, has been sworn in as Guinea’s interim President, following the overthrow of President Alpha Conde on September 5, 2021.
The newly inducted President who vowed to respect the West African state’s international commitments in transitioning to civilian rule, was sworn in on Friday, October 1, 2021, by Supreme Court head Mamadou Sylla.
Colonel Doumbouya in his speech expressed his “commitment” that neither he nor any member of the military government would stand in any future elections.
According to him, his administration’s mission is to “refound the state” by drafting a new constitution and fighting corruption. He noted that his government will ensure a reformation in the electoral system and organise “free, credible and transparent” elections.
However, as the interim President, he did not reveal at the time of his swearing-in, how long he will remain the interim leader. Instead, Colonel Doumbouya promised to “respect all the national and international commitments to which the country has subscribed”.
Colonel Doumbouya, among his declarations, pledged to “loyally preserve national sovereignty”. He also vowed to “consolidate democratic achievements, guarantee the independence of the fatherland and the integrity of the national territory”.
The ceremony was held at the Mohammed-V palace in Conakry on the eve of a public holiday celebrating the 1958 declaration of independence from France.
As it stands, Colonel Doumbouya will serve as transitional president until the country returns to civilian rule.
Guinea junta unveiled charter
On Monday, September 27, 2021, the Guinea military government unveiled a “charter” which assured that a new constitution will be drafted and hold “free, democratic and transparent” elections.
The document, suggested that the transitional President will be the “head of state and supreme chief of the armed forces”.
It stated that the interim President will also determine “the policies of the Nation” with the power to name and fire an interim prime minister.
Nevertheless, the charter indicated that President will be barred from being a candidate at the elections that will take place after the transition. The turbulence in the former French colony has sparked deep concern among Guinea’s neighbours.
The region’s bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is demanding that elections be held within six months, as well as Conde’s release.
President Akufo-Addo received Guinea junta
Chairperson for ECOWAS, President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, 29th September 2021, received a three-member delegation from the Guinean military junta.
The delegation, led by Colonel Sadiba Koulibaly, updated President Akufo-Addo on the roadmap that has been put in place to ensure a smooth transition and return to democratic, constitutional rule in Guinea.
In his remarks, Colonel Sadiba Koulibaly told the President that ten days of consultations with key stakeholders in Guinea had led to the drafting and adoption of a new Transition Charter. This, he revealed, reinforces the determination of the military leadership to return the country to civilian rule.
Col. Koulibaly also noted that the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD) understands and accepts the decisions taken and sanctions placed on Guinea by the Authority. He, however, called on ECOWAS to consider the peculiar circumstances that led to the events of September 5, 2021.
Following this, he explained that military leadership has taken the decision to conduct a country-wide census, restructure the electoral code and establish a new electoral body in order to be able to conduct free and fair elections.
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