CONAKRY, Jan 1,  (V7N) - Guinea’s junta leader, General Mamady Doumbouya, declared in a New Year’s address that 2025 would be a pivotal year for restoring constitutional order, but he stopped short of specifying concrete plans. The announcement comes over three years after the junta ousted President Alpha Condé in September 2021.

General Doumbouya committed to setting a date for a constitutional referendum in the first quarter of 2025. However, he provided no timeline for the general elections that would return Guinea to civilian rule, stating only that efforts would continue throughout the year to lay electoral foundations.

The junta had initially promised to hold a referendum and transfer power by the end of 2024 under international pressure—a deadline that has not been met.

Rising Opposition and Crackdowns

The junta faces mounting pressure from opposition groups and civil society, with demonstrations planned in Conakry on January 6 demanding the regime’s departure and the establishment of a civilian-led transition.

Since seizing power, the junta has been accused of suppressing dissent through arrests, court cases, and forced exiles. Recent incidents have heightened concerns:

Two former officers and a doctor have died under unclear circumstances following their arrests.

A journalist from the news site Lerevelateur224 was detained by men in uniform, and his location remains unknown, according to his legal team and a press union.

Last week, opposition leader Aliou Bah was arrested while traveling to Sierra Leone, allegedly for "insulting" the junta chief. His trial began Tuesday and will resume on January 2.

International Pressure and Local Discontent

The junta’s repeated delays in transitioning to civilian rule have drawn criticism from regional and international bodies, including the African Union and ECOWAS. Domestically, the continued repression has fueled discontent among Guineans calling for democratic governance.

General Doumbouya’s promise to declare a referendum date in early 2025 marks a small step toward addressing international and domestic demands for progress. However, skepticism remains high as opposition groups prepare to escalate their protests and calls for accountability intensify.

The coming months will test the junta’s ability to navigate growing discontent and pressure to fulfill its promises, with the stability of Guinea hanging in the balance.

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