Gambiaj.com – (Conakry, Guinea) – The Supreme Court of Guinea has released the provisional list of candidates eligible to contest the country’s presidential election scheduled for December 28, confirming nine contenders out of more than forty applications submitted.
The announcement, made late on Saturday, November 8, approves seven candidates representing political parties and two independent candidates, including the transitional president, Mamadi Doumbouya.
Among the party-backed contenders is Abdoulaye Kourouma, leader of the Rassemblement pour la Renaissance et le Développement (RRD). Reacting to the Court’s decision, Kourouma said his party is entering familiar territory. “We are accustomed to elections. We have participated in every poll since our party’s creation,” he remarked. “Our campaign teams have been notified, and we are getting to work immediately.”
Alongside Doumbouya, Mohamed Chérif Tounkara has also been cleared to run as an independent, having secured the required number of sponsorships to validate his file. Tounkara welcomed the ruling with enthusiasm. “This is a very big joy for me,” he said. “Now we can show what we are capable of during the campaign. The ambition is clear: to win and serve as President of the Republic of Guinea.”
Rejected Candidacies and Legal Grounds
More than thirty dossiers were rejected by the Supreme Court, including those of two prominent political figures: former Prime Minister Lansana Kouyaté and former minister Dr. Ousmane Kaba.
According to the Court’s decision, Kouyaté’s candidacy was denied because he did not submit an authenticated copy of his asset declaration.
No further explanation was provided by the Court, a detail that has already sparked discussion among political observers given Kouyaté’s long-standing role in national politics.
As for Dr. Ousmane Kaba, the Court ruled his candidacy ineligible due to the absence of the identity card required under Article 129 of the Electoral Code.
The regulation mandates that the identity card must include the candidate’s recent photo, full name, parentage, date and place of birth, as well as professional role and employer information. Its omission was deemed sufficient to invalidate his application.
Appeals Procedure in Progress in a Crucial Test for the Transition
Candidates whose files were rejected have 72 hours to appeal the Supreme Court’s decision. Once appeals are filed, the Court will have 48 hours to examine the petitions and publish the final list of approved candidates, which is expected by November 13.
This election will be the first presidential vote since the September 2021 military takeover. With national and international observers closely monitoring the process, the handling of candidacy validations is widely seen as a key indicator of the credibility and inclusiveness of Guinea’s transition back to civilian governance.
Campaign activities are expected to intensify in the coming weeks as the provisional candidates begin to consolidate alliances, mobilize supporters, and define the political tone leading up to December 28.
