In a highly anticipated election, Guinea's military leader Mamdi Doumbouya has been declared the winner with an overwhelming 86.72% of the vote, according to the General Directorate of Elections. The election, held over the weekend, saw Doumbouya solidify his political position after seizing power through a coup in 2021.

The election's outcome was largely predictable, with major opposition figures either barred from participating or living in exile, creating a fragmented political landscape with no strong challengers. Opposition leaders had actively called for a boycott of the vote, further diminishing the electoral competition.

Doumbouya's path to the presidency was paved by constitutional changes that lifted restrictions on military officers seeking office and extended presidential terms to seven years. Initially promising a return to civilian rule by the end of 2024, he ultimately decided to run for the highest office.

The election commission reported a turnout of 80.95%, a figure disputed by opposition groups. Yero Balde, a former government minister, emerged as the distant second-place candidate with just 6.51% of the vote.

The election takes place against the backdrop of increasing military interventions in African politics, with Guinea experiencing one of several recent coups or coup attempts across the continent. Guinea-Bissau and Benin have also witnessed similar political upheavals in recent months.

Civil liberties advocates have expressed significant concerns about the potential deterioration of democratic processes, highlighting ongoing restrictions on press freedom and crackdowns on protesters under Doumbouya's leadership. A citizen's collective, the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution, described the election as an 'electoral charade' and suggested that many voters deliberately abstained.

As Guinea moves forward, the international community will be closely watching how this military-led government evolves and whether it can successfully transition to a more inclusive and representative democratic system.