Guinea's Doumbouya to be sworn in as president Jan 17

CONAKRY - Guinea's junta leader Mamady Doumbouya will be sworn in as president on January 17 following his electoral victory last month, the presidency announced Tuesday on social media.

Doumbouya, who has not been seen publicly since voting in the election, will be inaugurated at the General Lansana Conte Stadium on the outskirts of the capital Conakry, according to the Facebook post.

Although he had initially pledged not to run for president after seizing power four years ago, Doumbouya ultimately stood for election in a race in which all main opposition leaders were barred.

Guinea's Supreme Court validated Doumbouya's victory on Sunday, crediting him with 86.7 percent of the vote.

The junta leader's public appearances have been rare in recent weeks. Since his win, he has addressed the nation via a pre-recorded video, and leading up to the vote, he made only one campaign appearance.

In September 2021, Doumbouya led a coup to topple Guinea's first freely elected president, Alpha Conde.

During his time as junta leader, he has cracked down on civil liberties and banned protests, while opponents have been arrested, put on trial or driven into exile.

Several political parties and media outlets were additionally suspended and demonstrations were banned in 2022.

In late September, Guineans approved a new constitution in a referendum that permitted junta members to run for office, paving the way for Doumbouya's candidacy.

It also lengthened presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once.