Guinea’s military leader‑turned‑president Mamadi Doumbouya was officially sworn in as the President of the Republic of Guinea on 17 January 2026, following a decisive victory in the 28 December 2025 presidential election in which he won 86.72% of the vote, according to official results and validation by the country’s Supreme Court.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the General Lansana Conté Stadium on the outskirts of the capital, Conakry, in front of tens of thousands of Guinean citizens and a high‑level international delegation that included several African heads of state, representatives from China, Nigeria, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, and senior officials from organisations such as the African Union and ECOWAS.
In his first speech as president, Doumbouya emphasised national unity, inclusive governance and peace, calling on all Guineans, including women, youth and members of the diaspora, to contribute to the country’s development and to work together in building a stable and prosperous future. He highlighted the importance of participatory governance, civic engagement and social cohesion as cornerstones of his administration’s approach.
Doumbouya pledged to govern with integrity, accountability and responsibility, stating that he would uphold the Constitution, respect the rule of law and never misuse presidential powers for personal ends. He reiterated commitments to strengthening public institutions, expanding educational opportunities, boosting vocational training and creating employment, particularly for Guinea’s young population.
The 2025 election marked a key milestone in Guinea’s return to constitutional rule after more than four years under military transitional authority, which began with a 2021 coup that ousted then‑President Alpha Condé. Doumbouya initially pledged not to run for president but later contested the election after a constitutional referendum removed prohibitions on military leaders running for office and extended the presidential term from five to seven years.
The inauguration was characterised by widespread ceremonial symbolism and strong international presence, reflecting Guinea’s desire to reinforce diplomatic and economic ties. Notably, China’s President Xi Jinping sent a special envoy to the ceremony, underscoring the importance of the Guinea–China relationship and signalling continued cooperation across multiple sectors.
While the election and transition to civilian leadership have been welcomed by many as steps toward stability and democratic normalisation, some observers and opposition figures raised concerns about the electoral environment, limited political competition and constraints on civic freedoms during the campaign period.
At the inauguration, Doumbouya also outlined broader development priorities, including advancing infrastructure projects, promoting economic diversification and responsibly leveraging Guinea’s significant natural resources, such as its vast bauxite reserves and emerging Simandou iron ore initiatives.
As president, Doumbouya now begins a seven‑year term tasked with delivering on promises of unity, economic opportunity and institutional consolidation, even as Guinea navigates the challenges of peacebuilding, governance reform and sustained socio‑economic growth.
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