Guinea's Leader: From Coup to Campaign

Mamady Doumbouya, who took control of Guinea in a coup four years ago, is now aiming to become the country's president through elections. He has made big changes in Guinea's mining industry and started a huge iron ore project. These moves could help him win the upcoming presidential vote, which is supposed to bring back civilian rule. Doumbouya, who is in his early 40s, was a special forces commander before the coup. He gained a lot of support after he overthrew the previous president, Alpha Conde, who had angered many people by trying to stay in power for a third term. Unlike some nearby countries that have faced instability, Guinea has been relatively calm under Doumbouya's leadership. There have also been some economic improvements and new investments in mining. Guinea has the world's largest bauxite reserves and a huge untapped iron ore deposit called Simandou. A big mining project there started last November. Doumbouya has been trying to control the mining industry more to increase the country's income. His government recently took over a mining license from a company called Guinea Alumina Corporation and gave it to a state-owned firm. Western countries are in a tough spot. If they criticize Doumbouya for not following democratic rules, he might get closer to countries like China. On the other hand, if he successfully becomes president, it might encourage other military leaders in the region to do the same.Doumbouya comes from the Malinke ethnic group and is from Kankan in eastern Guinea. He has military training from Israel, Senegal, Gabon, and France. He also served in the French Foreign Legion and met his wife there. Before the coup, he had 15 years of military experience, including missions in Afghanistan, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, and Central African Republic. At first, Doumbouya said he wouldn't run for president. But the rules changed, and now he is campaigning on his achievements, like improving infrastructure and fighting poverty and corruption. Some people think he just wants to stay in power. His government has also been accused of limiting protests, press freedom, and opposition activities. Doumbouya has pardoned a former coup leader, Moussa Dadis Camara, who was convicted of a stadium massacre in 2009. He still has support in some parts of the country. The Supreme Court has also faced pressure to keep opposition candidates from running. Guinea's most prominent opposition figure, Cellou Dalein Diallo, is living in exile after facing corruption charges. The former president, Alpha Conde, is also in exile and was disqualified from running because of his age.