In Guinea, the referendum on the brand new Constitution collects virtually 90 % of “yes” | EUROtoday

Four years after taking energy by troopers, Guinea accepted the challenge of a brand new structure, the intention of which is to finish the transition interval.

At the top of the referendum organized on Sunday with some 6.7 million voters, the “yes” gained at 89.38 %and the “no” collected 10.62 %, in accordance with the official provisional outcomes introduced Tuesday, September 23 night by the Minister of Territory Administration and Guinean decentralization, Ibrahima Kalil Condé, which highlighted a charge of participation at 86.42 %. The ultimate outcomes shall be introduced by the Supreme Court, on a date that has not been specified.

Hoped for years by the inhabitants and the worldwide neighborhood, this poll inaugurated a vital electoral sequence on this nation of round 14.5 million inhabitants, among the many poorest on this planet and in historical past punctuated by coup d’etat and marked by the violence of authoritarian regimes. The Minister estimated that the referendum passed off “In a peaceful and highly secure climate”. He affirmed the federal government’s dedication “To work for a transparent, credible electoral process and in accordance with the democratic principles of our Republic”.

Iron hand

This structure replaces the “transition charter” established by the junta after the coup and which notably prohibited its members from presenting itself to the elections. However, this prohibition now not seems within the new Constitution, paving the best way for a candidacy of Mamadi Doumbouya, Head of State and Head of the Armed Forces. Everything appears to point that Mr. Doumbouya shall be a candidate, regardless of his promise to not current himself to a presidential election.

Accusing the junta of wanting to maintain himself in energy in favor of this referendum, the opposition leaders had known as for boycott, denouncing a “Electoral masquerade” outcomes “Known in advance”. Despite this name, many Guineans went to the polls. The voters interviewed by the Agency France-Presse (AFP) mentioned that they had voted to specific their need to get out of the navy transition.

The troopers had initially dedicated to rendering energy to civilians earlier than the top of 2024. Since he overthrew the civil president elected Alpha Condé in 2021, the chief of the junta Mamadi Doumbouya, 40, heads the nation with an iron fist. The junta has multiplied restrictions on freedoms.

An ostentatious marketing campaign for the “yes”

On Sunday, the vote throughout the nation has typically been quiet whereas a minimum of 45,000 brokers of the protection and safety forces had been mobilized to safe the vote, in addition to a thousand gentle and armored autos and fight helicopters.

The marketing campaign for the “yes” within the referendum was ostentatious throughout the nation and broadly embodied by Mamadi Doumbouya, with a number of posters together with his effigy, gatherings and brass bands. That of ” No “ had been virtually inaudible.

A lead screwed down in Guinea on dissident votes because the arrival of the navy in energy. Several political events and media have been suspended, the demonstrations – prohibited since 2022 – are repressed, and lots of opposition leaders have been arrested, convicted or pushed to exile. Forced disappearances and abductions have multiplied.

The group of the referendum permits the junta to vary the election necessities of the worldwide neighborhood and donors. The authorities want to “Normalize” And reconnect with regional and worldwide organizations. They subsequently introduced presidential and legislative elections to make sure a return to constitutional order earlier than the top of this 12 months. However, no date has been given.