In a surprising turn of events, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the military leader who has governed Guinea since a coup in 2021, has officially entered the presidential race, reneging on his earlier commitment to transition power to a civilian government. Doumbouya submitted his candidacy at the Supreme Court on Monday, accompanied by soldiers and donning black sunglasses, though he refrained from making any public statements. His decision has sparked widespread concern over the credibility of the upcoming December elections, particularly as two major opposition parties, RPG Arc en Ciel and UFDG, have been barred from participating. The election is being conducted under a new constitution that permits Doumbouya to run, despite his previous pledge to abstain from any candidacy. Critics argue that his administration has stifled dissent, suspended media outlets, restricted internet access, and violently suppressed protests, mirroring the very issues he cited when overthrowing former President Alpha Condé in 2021. Condé, now 83, along with other prominent political figures, remains in exile, further diminishing the election’s inclusivity. Doumbouya, a 40-year-old former middle-ranking soldier with a 15-year military career spanning multiple international missions, is currently the youngest head of state in Africa. His candidacy has cast a shadow over Guinea’s democratic aspirations, raising questions about the nation’s political future.