Coup leader Mamadi Dumbuya enters the presidential race

The military commander who has ruled Guinea since a coup four years ago has entered the presidential race, breaking an earlier promise to hand over power to a civilian government.

Colonel Mamadi Dumbuya presented his candidacy at the Supreme Court on Monday, flanked by soldiers and wearing black sunglasses. He made no public comment.

Two of Guinea’s biggest opposition parties – RPG Arc en Ciel and UFDG – were kicked out of the race in December.

This raised concerns about the credibility of the election.

Guineans reacted with shock last month when it was announced that presidential candidates would have to pay a deposit of 875 million Guinean francs ($100,000; £75,000) to run in the election.

While the previous deposit was almost as high – 800 million francs – some analysts hoped it would be reduced to encourage more people to take part in this historic election.

Four years ago, Colonel Dumbuya pledged to return power to civilians, saying: “Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything… As soldiers, we value our word very much.” ‎

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The election was held under a new constitution that allowed Col. Dumbuya to run for president.

During his rule, Guinean authorities cracked down on peaceful dissent, including attempts to mobilize the people for a return to democratic rule.

The junta has been criticized for shutting down the media, restricting internet access and brutally suppressing demonstrations.

Yet Colonel Dumbuya justified the ouster of then 83-year-old President Alpha Conde on similar charges – including rampant corruption, disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement.

Before seizing power in the 2021 coup, Colonel Dumbuya was a mid-ranking soldier. His 15-year military career included missions to Afghanistan, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, the Central African Republic and personal protection in Israel, Cyprus, the United Kingdom and Guinea.

At 40, he is currently the youngest African head of state.

The December election will be held in the absence of several prominent figures – such as former president Alfa Conde, who was ousted from power in 2021, and former prime ministers Selou Dailein Diallo and Sidiya Toure – all of whom currently live abroad.