Draft Constitution Proposed for Leader General Mamadi Doumbouya in Guinea
In a surprising turn of events, a newly drafted Constitution in Guinea has raised concerns about the democratic process and potential power grab by the transitional President, General Mamadi Doumbouya. The draft, revealed on June 30, 2022, has sparked a wave of debate, with critics arguing that it violates the spirit of Guinea's transition charter.
The draft Constitution, intended to mark the return to constitutional order, has omitted the ban on members of the transitional bodies running in national or local elections, a provision that was established in the transition charter. This omission has fueled speculation that the power may be clearing the way for Doumbouya to seek a fresh mandate in upcoming elections.
The draft allows for a single 7-year presidential term renewable once, effectively capping presidential tenure at 14 years. This provision, if implemented, could enable Doumbouya to remain in power beyond the expected transitional period, a move that critics contend goes against the spirit of the transition charter.
Alseny Sall, spokesperson for the Guinean organization for human rights and citizenship, has expressed his concern about the respect of the laws in the drafting of the new Constitution. Sall suggests that the omission of the general's non-candidacy could be an indication that the power wants to pave the way for him to the presidency.
Sall's organization advocates for human rights and citizenship in Guinea and may plan to take action or express further concerns about the drafting process of the new Constitution. The draft Constitution will be presented to Guineans in a referendum on September 21, 2022. If the "yes" vote wins, it could pave the way for a presidential candidacy by General Mamadi Doumbouya.
However, it is important to note that Doumbouya had previously committed to not running for the highest office. His apparent change of heart in the context of the new draft constitution has sparked a heated debate, with some questioning the integrity of the transition process.
Sall's statement suggests a possible conflict between the transitional charter and the new draft of the Constitution. As the dust settles, Guineans and international observers will be closely watching the developments to ensure a fair and transparent transition process.
[1] Source: Various news reports and statements from human rights organizations and political analysts.
- The omission of the ban on members of the transitional bodies running in elections from the draft Constitution has caused concern, as it suggests a potential power grab by General Mamadi Doumbouya, raising policy-and-legislation questions about the transition process.
- The new Constitution draft, which allows for a single 7-year presidential term renewable once, has sparked debate among critics who argue that it violates the spirit of Guinea's transition charter, with politics and general news centered around concerns for the democratic process.
