Guinea’s ruling military junta has proposed extending presidential terms from five to seven years, while maintaining a two-term limit, according to a draft constitution set to be put to a national referendum in September.
The draft was presented last Thursday to junta leader General Mamadi Doumbouya, who seized power in 2021 after toppling President Alpha Condé in a military coup — one of several in West Africa in recent years.
The draft does not clarify whether Doumbouya will be eligible to run for president once the country transitions back to civilian rule. Although he initially pledged not to contest future elections and a post-coup road map barred junta members from running, several close allies have recently voiced support for his potential candidacy.
The proposed constitution also includes provisions to elevate African languages to official status alongside French, and to introduce a 30 percent gender quota in elected offices and public leadership roles.
The referendum is a key step in the junta’s promised transition to constitutional governance. However, since taking power, the military regime has faced criticism for restricting civil liberties and delaying the return to democratic rule. The junta had originally committed, under international pressure, to holding elections and restoring civilian leadership by the end of last year.
