Guinea’s junta leader, Mamady Doumbouya, has elevated himself to the rank of army general as the West African nation observed the anniversary of its armed forces.
Doumbouya, 43, came to power in September 2021, ousting President Alpha Conde, who had previously appointed him to lead an elite unit responsible for protecting the president from such coups.
In January, Doumbouya “exceptionally” promoted himself to lieutenant general, signaling that the junta would delay its pledge to transfer power to an elected civilian government by year-end.
On Friday evening, a decree officially granted him the rank of general and awarded him the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Colatier, Guinea’s highest honor, recognizing his “constant efforts to promote social cohesion and cooperation between peoples.”
Doumbouya is one of several military leaders who have taken control in West Africa since 2020, joining counterparts in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Under his rule, Guinea has seen a crackdown on dissent, with opposition figures detained, prosecuted, or forced into exile.
Despite its rich natural resources, Guinea remains impoverished, enduring decades of authoritarian or dictatorial rule.