Guinea held a constitutional referendum on September 21, 2025, with provisional results indicating overwhelming support for the new constitutional draft. Djenabou Touré, head of the General Directorate of Elections, reported that over 91.4% of polling stations recorded participation, with approximately 90.06% of valid votes cast in favor of the new constitution.
The newly ratified constitution introduces significant changes, including the provision that allows members of the military junta, such as General Mamadi Doumbouya, to stand for public office. This marks a departure from the initial transition charter, which had barred junta members from seeking elected positions. The revised charter also extends the presidential term from five to seven years, with provisions for two renewals, and establishes a Senate where the President will appoint one-third of its members.
General Doumbouya, who led the 2021 coup, had previously stated he would not seek the presidency, but the new constitutional framework effectively opens this possibility. The presidential election is anticipated in December 2025, though a specific date has not yet been confirmed. The referendum's outcome has drawn criticism, with opponents labeling it a strategic maneuver to legitimize the military regime and consolidate power. Concerns are amplified by actions such as the dissolution of over 50 political parties in October 2024 and the recent suspension of three major opposition parties, which has limited their ability to campaign.
The political climate in Guinea is viewed within the broader context of West Africa, where military factions have seized power in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, signaling a shift in geopolitical alliances. Economically, Guinea faces significant challenges, with over half of the population living below the poverty line, according to 2024 World Bank data. The referendum's outcome represents a critical juncture for Guinea, shaping its path toward a new constitutional order and the future of its leadership.