Junta leaders say Guinea may hold constitutional referendum this year

Guinea could hold a presidential and legislative election this year, the government spokesman said on Thursday, more than three years after a junta seized power in a coup. Under international pressure, the military leaders who took control in 2021 initially pledged to hold a constitutional referendum and hand power to elected civilians by the end of 2024 -- but neither has happened. Junta chief General Mamady Doumbouya said in a New Year's speech that 2025 will be "a crucial electoral year to complete the return to constitutional order", but authorities had not yet given a timeline. In an interview with French broadcaster RFI, government spokesman Ousmane Gaoual Diallo said a constitutional referendum would be held "probably in May". "We have a long rainy period which is not conducive to the organisation of elections. I think we need to start counting from September-October for the next elections", he added, referring to presidential and parliamentary polls.
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