Gambiaj.com – (Conakry, Guinea) – Calls for General Mamadi Doumbouya to contest Guinea’s December 28, 2025, presidential election are multiplying, largely driven by local government officials appointed by his junta—many of whom are senior military officers.
The growing campaign has sparked speculation that the transition leader may be preparing to extend his rule through the ballot box, even as civilian politicians begin to enter the race.
In the latest show of support, Ibrahima Lincoln Sylla, founding president of the Sogué Nènè movement—one of the earliest groups to back the National Committee for the Rally for Development (CNRD)—urged General Doumbouya to run, claiming it is “the deep wish of the Sogué Nènè people.”
“Under no circumstances should General Mamadi Doumbouya decline the wish of the Sogué Nènè people,” Sylla said, describing the transitional leader as “the man of national renewal.” He asserted that Guinea “should no longer hope for development” if Doumbouya does not stand in the election.
Military-Appointed Prefects Join the Push
The movement to promote Doumbouya’s candidacy has been increasingly amplified by local government officials—most of them military officers appointed during the transition.
In Siguiri, Prefect Colonel Ibrahima Douramoudou Keita convened a press conference this week, calling for “general mobilization” ahead of a large gathering planned in honor of the head of state. Similar gestures of loyalty have been reported in several other prefectures across the country.
During the recent celebration of Guinean Army Day, Télimélé Prefect Colonel Lamarana Diallo also publicly endorsed Doumbouya’s candidacy, declaring, “We will support him. We are all young. He is very young. This country belongs to us.”
The open political involvement of prefects and other administrative heads—officials traditionally expected to remain neutral—has drawn increasing attention both within Guinea and from observers abroad.
Critics say it reflects a deliberate strategy to build nationwide momentum behind Doumbouya’s potential candidacy before he makes any formal announcement.
Civilian Candidates Begin to Declare
Meanwhile, the presidential field is slowly beginning to take shape. A few political party leaders have officially filed their candidacies with the Supreme Court, marking the formal start of the campaign season.
Dr. Ousmane Kaba, president of the Party of Democrats for Hope (PADES) and founder of Kofi Annan University, was among the first to submit his file. “The time has come to restore hope and build together a better future for every Guinean woman and man,” he said after filing his papers on October 31.
Veteran politician Lansana Kouyaté, leader of the Party of Hope for National Development (PEDN) and former prime minister, also submitted his candidacy on the same day.
Kouyaté, one of the most experienced contenders, is expected to outline his platform after completing the required medical evaluation by the Supreme Court’s panel of doctors.
Another party, the National Rally for Development (P-RND), has announced the candidacy of its leader, Sékouba Diack Diakité, who described his nomination as “a sacred duty towards our people—to serve, to unite, and to transform Guinea.”
Doumbouya Silent Amid Growing Speculation
Despite the mounting appeals from his appointees and supporters, General Mamadi Doumbouya has remained silent about his intentions. His continued reticence has only fueled speculation about whether the transition leader, who came to power through a 2021 military coup, will join the race himself.
For now, the combination of orchestrated local endorsements and emerging civilian contenders signals the start of what is shaping up to be a pivotal and contentious election season—one that will test Guinea’s commitment to returning to democratic governance after years of military-led transition.
