Others saw their voter cards confiscated and told to wait outside while someone voted for them. On the day of the referendum, local media outlets and social media reported that there were not enough “No” ballots at some stations. Past national votes in Guinea had seen participation levels of 75 percent. Guinean civil society organizations reported that many citizens heeded the opposition’s boycott of the referendum, with participation reaching only 30 percent in many parts of the country and less than 15 percent in the capital, Conakry. A Process Lacking Credibility and Inclusiveness This, in turn, has foreboding implications for Guinea’s neighbors who will be directly affected by the instability. Guinea’s slide back toward authoritarian rule portends greater political instability and economic turmoil for the mineral-rich but impoverished country of 12 million. A legal case brought by an opposition coalition contending that the Condé government has violated its citizens’ human rights, as well as the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, is currently before the ECOWAS Court of Justice. It also follows a recent pattern of flouting these norms elsewhere in the 15-member bloc. The evasion of term limits and democratic backsliding in Guinea represents a challenge to the Economic Commission of West African States’ ( ECOWAS) hard-fought efforts to establish norms of checks and balances and democratic accountability.
“Guinea’s slide back toward authoritarian rule portends greater political instability and economic turmoil.” Condé’s rule has been marked by growing authoritarianism, including the replacement of the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (the Commission électorale nationale independante, CENI), the removal of the head of the Constitutional Court and forced ouster of the Minister of Justice who opposed the constitutional changes, shutting down of media outlets, and arrests of opposition leaders. The moment is pivotal for Guinea given that the track record of African leaders who have stayed in power beyond 10 years is marred by growing repression, corruption, financial instability, underdevelopment, and conflict. The legacy of this long period of misgovernance has left Guinea one of the poorest countries in Africa. Having endured 50 years of authoritarian rule and abuses of power before beginning its democratic transition in 2010, the issue of presidential term limits is especially charged for many Guineans.
Under the new Constitution, Condé would be eligible to stay in office for 12 more years. Deeming that the electoral process, including a disputed voter registry, fell below the standards for a credible vote, international electoral observers did not participate.Īt the heart of the controversy is 82-year-old Condé’s quest to undo term limits that would have him step down from the presidency in October, after 10 years in office, enabling Guinea’s first-ever democratic succession. At least 32 protesters were killed by police in the run-up to the polls. The referendum along with legislative elections were boycotted by opponents on the grounds that it was illegitimate, having been authorized only by the President of the National Assembly, a Condé ally, and not the Parliament, as stipulated by the Constitution. Ignoring massive protests, admonitions from ECOWAS leaders, and international criticism, President Alpha Condé pushed through a constitutional referendum in Guinea on March 22. Guineans protesting the possibility of a third term for Alpha Condé.