from OKORO CHINEDU in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – HOPES that Guinea’s constitutional referendum would mark a decisive step towards restoring civilian rule after four years of military governance have been dashed, with observers branding the process a façade designed to entrench the ruling junta.
The referendum, held on Sunday, was billed as a milestone in the transition roadmap following the September 2021 coup that brought Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya to power.
However, provisions allowing the transitional leader—believed to be between 39 and 44 years old—to contest the presidency, alongside widespread political repression, have raised serious doubts about the credibility of the process.
Reports of kidnappings, enforced disappearances, and the forced exile of opposition leaders and civil society activists further undermine the legitimacy of the exercise.
Media freedoms have also come under sharp attack, with journalists harassed and outlets suspended in the run-up to the vote.
On referendum day, watchdog group NetBlocks confirmed disruptions to Telegram and Facebook services in Guinea, describing the move as a deliberate attempt to curb information flows. “The measure is likely to limit the flow of information and may impact news coverage of events on the ground,” the group stated.
The clampdown on dissent has been escalating for months. In September alone, Sabari FM was suspended for 45 days, Sab TV was barred from rebroadcasting certain programs, and Guineematin was temporarily suspended. Earlier in the year, Guinee360.com was hit with a three-month ban.
Political parties have faced similar treatment. In August, three of Guinea’s largest opposition formations—the Party for Renewal and Progress (PRP), Rally of the People of Guinea (RPG), and the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG)—were suspended for 90 days. In March, 28 political parties, including the RPG of ousted president Alpha Condé, were also sidelined.
Authorities justified these suspensions on administrative grounds, claiming parties failed to update leadership structures or file required documents. Critics, however, argue the measures are politically motivated attempts to neutralize opposition ahead of the transition.
Alfred Nkuru Balakali, West Africa director for Article 19, stressed that the referendum represented a critical test for Guinea’s return to constitutional order.
“The integrity of this referendum will depend on the active commitment of the Guinean authorities to respect human rights and democratic principles,” he said.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has faced defiance from junta-led member states including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, is closely monitoring developments in Guinea.
“The 21st September constitutional referendum is a significant step in Guinea’s march towards the restoration of constitutional order,” ECOWAS declared.
But with political repression intensifying and key stakeholders sidelined, critics insist the vote amounts to little more than window dressing by a regime reluctant to relinquish power. For Guinea’s estimated 15 million citizens, many of whom had hoped for a genuine return to democracy, the promise of civilian rule remains distant.
– CAJ News