Guineans have overwhelmingly approved a new constitution in a referendum, with 89% of the vote in favor according to provisional results. This text marks a step toward the end of the military transition, but also paves the way for junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya to run for president in the future, despite criticism from the opposition.

Four years after the military seized power, Guineans have approved a new constitution by 89%, according to official provisional results of a key referendum aimed at ending the transition but which opens the way for the junta leader to run in a future presidential election.

Expected for years by the population and the international community, this election inaugurated a crucial electoral sequence in this country, one of the poorest in the world and with a history marked by coups d'état and the violence of authoritarian regimes.

Some 6.7 million Guineans were called to vote out of a population of around 14.5 million.

Almost 90% yes

The "yes" vote to the new Constitution won with 89.38% and the "no" vote with 10.62%, according to the official provisional results announced Tuesday evening by Ibrahima Kalil Condé, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, who indicated a turnout of 86.42%.

The minister considered that the referendum had taken place "in a calm and highly secure atmosphere."

He affirmed the government's commitment "to working towards a transparent, credible electoral process in accordance with the democratic principles of our Republic."

The final results will be announced by the Supreme Court on an unspecified date.

Accusing the junta of seeking to maintain power through the referendum, opposition leaders called for a boycott, denouncing an "electoral charade" with "predetermined" results. Despite this call, many Guineans turned out to vote. The majority of voters interviewed by AFP said they had voted to express their desire to end the military transition.

The military initially pledged to return power to civilians by the end of 2024. Since overthrowing elected civilian president Alpha Condé in 2021, junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya, 40, has ruled the country with an iron fist. The junta has stepped up restrictions on freedoms.