Under Guinea’s new draft constitution, the length of the presidency will be limited

A draft of a new constitution that would lower and establish presidential term limits and possibly permit current military chief Mamady Doumbouya to run for office again is being offered by Guinea’s transitional authorities.

Following negotiations with the Economic Community of West African States regional organization, the junta that seized power in a coup in 2021 suggested a two-year transition leading up to elections in 2022, but so far there has been little indication of any effort to set up an election.

The nation that produces iron ore and bauxite in West Africa may return to constitutional government if the new draft constitution is approved by the electorate in a referendum that has not yet been called.

The revised constitution did not prohibit members of the ruling junta from taking part in the election process. It was presented on Monday to the National Transitional Council, which serves as parliament under the temporary government.

Because of the age restriction, Alpha Conde, an 86-year-old former president who was toppled by military nearly three years ago, would not be able to compete.

After coming to power in 2010 and changing the constitution to enable himself to run for a third term in office in 2020, Conde caused a great deal of unrest and discontent up until the coup.

In the event that the new constitution draft is approved, the president will be chosen for a five-year term that is renewable once, as opposed to the six-year term that was specified in the 2020 constitution.

The date of the presidential elections is still unknown.