2025 Guinean constitutional referendum

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A constitutional referendum is scheduled to be held in Guinea on 21 September 2025, [1] which would establish a new constitution replacing the one approved in 2020 and mark the first step towards civilian rule. [2]

Contents

Background

On 5 September 2021, President Alpha Condé was captured by the country's armed forces in a coup d'état after gunfire in the capital, Conakry. Special forces commander Mamady Doumbouya released a broadcast on state television announcing the dissolution of the constitution and government. [3] On 1 October 2021, Doumbouya was sworn in as the interim president. [4]

Doumbouya, initially set 31 December 2024 as the deadline to launch a democratic transition. But he missed the deadline, leading to protests and criticism from activists and the opposition. Under pressure, he promised in his New Year’s message that a decree for the constitutional referendum would be signed. Authorities have further added that all elections would be held this year, without committing to a particular date. [4] The referendum will be watched by international observers, which have urged Doumbouya to follow through on his commitments and restore democratic rule. [2]

The draft constitution was released in June 2025. [5] Among its provisions were increasing the presidential term from five to seven years, with a limit of two terms, and creating a Senate, with a third of its members appointed by the president. [6] Junta leader Doumbouya would also be allowed to run for election, which drew protests from the opposition. [7]

Campaign

Campaigning began on 31 August 2025 and will last until 18 September. The High Authority of Communication (HAC) issued limits on the selection of media outlets allowed to cover the referendum, restricting unrecognized entities that were in conflict with authorities. Private media outlets were also prohibited from engaging in interactive programs that discuss the referendum. [8] The limits were subsequently relaxed on 1 September. [9]

References

  1. ↑ "Guinea sets a date in September for a key referendum that would launch a return to democracy". AP News. 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  2. 1 2 "Guinea's junta sets September vote on new constitution after missed deadline". RFI. 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  3. ↑ "Elite Guinea army unit says it has toppled president". Reuters. 5 September 2021. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Guinée : Mamadi Doumbouya devient officiellement chef de l'État". Jeune Afrique (in French). 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  5. ↑ "Guinea's new draft constitution sparks debate over presidential term limits". Constitution Net. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "Guinea presents draft for new constitution, referendum set for September". Africanews. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  7. ↑ "En Guinée, l'opposition rejette le projet de Constitution qui permettrait une candidature du chef de la junte" (in French). 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
  8. ↑ "Official campaigns launch for Guinea referendum amidst new media coverage guidelines". Africanews. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Guinea relaxes media restrictions ahead of constitutional referendum". Africanews. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
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