Guinea’s ruling military junta has announced that a long-awaited referendum on a new constitution will be held in September 2025, marking what could be a crucial step toward restoring civilian rule following a 2021 coup.
The decision comes after repeated delays in the transition timeline originally promised by General Mamadi Doumbouya, who seized power nearly four years ago. The junta had previously missed several key deadlines to hand over power, drawing mounting pressure from domestic opposition and international partners.
General Doumbouya’s government claims the referendum will lay the groundwork for a return to democratic governance, but critics remain skeptical. Opposition parties and civil society organizations have accused the junta of stalling the process while intensifying crackdowns on political dissent and freedom of expression.
International observers, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have urged the junta to uphold its commitments and ensure a transparent and credible path back to constitutional order. Whether the September vote will satisfy these calls remains uncertain.
