2025 Guinean constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum is scheduled to be held in Guinea on 21 September 2025,^[1] which would establish a new constitution replacing the one approved in 2020 and mark the first step towards civilian rule.^[2]

Background

Further information: 2021 Guinean coup d'état

On 5 September 2021, President Alpha Condé was captured by the country's armed forces in a coup d'état after gunfire in the capital, Conakry. Special forces commander Mamady Doumbouya released a broadcast on state television announcing the dissolution of the constitution and government.^[3] On 1 October 2021, Doumbouya was sworn in as the interim president.^[4]

Doumbouya, initially set 31 December 2024 as the deadline to launch a democratic transition. But he missed the deadline, leading to protests and criticism from activists and the opposition. Under pressure, he promised in his New Year’s message that a decree for the constitutional referendum would be signed. Authorities have further added that all elections would be held this year, without committing to a particular date.^[4] The referendum will be watched by international observers, which have urged Doumbouya to follow through on his commitments and restore democratic rule.^[2]

The draft constitution was released in June 2025.^[5] Among its provisions were increasing the presidential term from five to seven years, with a limit of two terms, and creating a Senate, with a third of its members appointed by the president.^[6] Junta leader Doumbouya would also be allowed to run for election, which drew protests from the opposition.^[7]