Doumbouya Pledges Integrity as Guinea President

Guinea’s new president, Mamadi Doumbouya, on Saturday pledged not to misuse the powers of his office, saying he would never exercise presidential authority for personal benefit.

Doumbouya was sworn in after winning the December 28 presidential election with 86.72 per cent of the vote, marking Guinea’s return to constitutional rule after more than four years of military-led transition.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the General Lansana Conté Stadium in Nongo, on the outskirts of Conakry, and was attended by African Heads of State and high-level delegations from several countries.

Doumbouya will serve a seven-year term.

Taking the oath of office before the Supreme Court in line with Article 59 of the Constitution, Doumbouya pledged loyalty to the nation, respect for the rule of law and commitment to national unity.

African leaders present at the ceremony included Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Mali’s Assimi Goita, Gambia’s Adama Barrow, Mauritania’s Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema, Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio and Liberia’s Joseph Boakai.

Vice presidents from China, Nigeria, Ghana and Equatorial Guinea also attended, alongside senior officials from Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Togo, Guinea-Bissau and the Comoros.

The presidents of the Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) Commission were also present.

Doumbouya’s transition from military dictator to elected civilian president was formalised on Saturday with his inauguration.

He has been in charge of Guinea since he overthrew former president Alpha Condé in a coup in September 2021.