Guinea’s Junta Leader Elevates Himself to General Amid Ongoing Military Rule
In a significant move within the coup-stricken West African nation of Guinea, junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya has promoted himself to the rank of army general during a ceremony marking the establishment of the country’s formidable armed forces. Doumbouya, 43, came to power in September 2021 after orchestrating a coup against President Alpha Conde, who had previously appointed him as the commander of an elite unit responsible for protecting the presidency from such uprisings.
In a decree issued on Friday, Doumbouya granted himself the rank of lieutenant general in January, a decision described as “exceptional.” He reaffirmed the junta’s intention not to honor its previous commitment to return power to elected civilians by the end of the year. As part of the recent announcement, Doumbouya was also awarded the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Colatier, the highest honor in the nation, recognizing his “constant efforts to foster social cohesion and collaboration among citizens.”
Doumbouya is part of a wave of military leaders who have taken control in West Africa since 2020, joining others in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. His rule has been characterized by a severe crackdown on opposition, with numerous dissenting leaders either detained, prosecuted, or forced into exile.
Despite its wealth of natural resources, Guinea has struggled with poverty and has been under authoritarian regimes for many years. Doumbouya’s rise to power suggests a continuation of this trend rather than a shift towards democratic governance.
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