Opposition silenced as constitutional vote proceeds despite boycott calls

Dozens of residents lined up before dawn in central Conakry as Guinea held a referendum on a draft constitution that could allow leader Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya to run for president. The military regime had suspended the three main opposition parties weeks before the vote, making it impossible for them to organize rallies or inform citizens about the constitution’s contents. Public buildings remained covered with “Yes” campaign billboards while supporters wearing Doumbouya’s face on T-shirts gathered at neighborhood rallies throughout the campaign. Critics denounced the referendum as a power grab to legitimize the 2021 military coup, with the draft constitution extending presidential terms from five to seven years and allowing junta members to seek office.

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https://apnews.com/article/guinea-referendum-doumbouya-junta-military-civilian-11c294ff260f95bf5901a67531889f1b