Guinea’s military government has imposed sweeping restrictions on major social media platforms including TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook as the nation awaits final results from Sunday’s contentious presidential election. Internet monitoring organization NetBlocks confirmed widespread disruptions affecting primary service providers Orange and MTN.
Initial results released Monday evening reveal junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup, commanding a substantial lead in the presidential race. According to AFP reports, the 41-year-old general has secured over 80% of votes across multiple districts in the capital Conakry, with similar dominance reported in western regions including Boffa and Fria, northwestern Gaoual, northern Koundara and Labe, and southeastern Nzerekore.
The electoral process has drawn sharp criticism from opposition groups and civil society organizations. Main opposition parties RPG Arc en Ciel and UFDG were barred from participation, leaving eight alternative candidates with limited political footing. A civil society coalition advocating for civilian rule condemned the election as a ‘charade,’ citing numerous irregularities.
General Doumbouya’s candidacy represents a direct reversal of his previous commitment. Following his overthrow of 83-year-old President Alpha Condé in 2021, he explicitly promised: ‘Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything… As soldiers, we value our word very much.’ His reversal became possible through a new constitution implemented in September that permitted his electoral participation.
Critics interpret the social media restrictions as a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent and scrutiny of the electoral process. The junta has previously faced condemnation for restricting opposition activities, banning protests, and curtailing press freedom in the pre-election period.
Paradoxically, General Doumbouya justified his 2021 coup using similar grievances—citing Condé’s alleged corruption, human rights violations, and economic mismanagement. Despite Guinea possessing the world’s largest bauxite reserves and recently launching the massive Simandou iron-ore project, World Bank data indicates over half the population lives in poverty.