Overview
- Guineans and Central Africans head to the polls on Sunday, with Doumbouya favored in a nine‑candidate field and Touadéra leading a seven‑person race that also renews legislatures and local bodies in CAR.
- Guinea’s vote follows a September constitution that lifted a ban on junta candidates and lengthened presidential terms to seven years, with provisional results expected within 48 to 72 hours.
- The UN rights chief said Guinea’s campaign was marked by intimidation, politically motivated enforced disappearances and constraints on media freedom, citing unresolved cases tied to opposition figures.
- Touadéra seeks a third term after a 2023 referendum scrapped term limits and extended terms, with security gains credited to Russian Wagner mercenaries and Rwandan troops and provisional results due by January 5.
- Opposition activity faced obstacles in both countries, including boycotts and travel restrictions in CAR and barred or exiled leaders in Guinea, while Conakry authorities reported “neutralising” an armed group on the eve of voting.