Guinea’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, promoted himself to army general as the country commemorated the creation of its armed forces. Doumbouya, who led a 2021 coup to oust President Alpha Conde, was initially a lieutenant colonel but raised his rank to lieutenant general in January, abandoning the junta’s prior commitment to return power to civilians by the end of the year.
The junta chief was also awarded Guinea’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Colatier, for his “efforts in social cohesion.”
Mamadi Doumbouya joins several West African military leaders who have seized control since 2020, including those in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. His rule has been marked by a crackdown on dissent, with opposition figures facing detention, exile, or court proceedings.
Despite Guinea’s wealth in natural resources, the country remains impoverished and subject to authoritarian regimes.