Cameroon’s election aftermath is fueling more street violence, Côte d’Ivoire’s political prospects remain stuck in limbo, and now Guinea is laying the groundwork for another high-stakes electoral play. In an article on elections in these three countries, Nicolas Beau of MondAfrique argues that what’s striking isn’t just the instability, but how today’s new crop of military-backed politicians, from Conakry to Bamako and Ouagadougou, have mastered the image of reform while doubling down on the same old autocratic habits.
Mamadi Doumbouya made his mark as Guinea’s transitional president by promising he wouldn’t seek permanent power after his September 2021 coup. Now, he’s preparing to enter the December 28, 2025 presidential race, using orchestrated theatrics and some awkward pageantry to maintain the illusion of keeping his word.
Power Plays in Plain Sight
Guinea’s presidential hopefuls face an expensive barrier to entry: a required deposit that tops $100,000—a sum that blocks almost everyone but the political elite. To offset the optics, Doumbouya’s team rolled out a full-scale campaign positioning him as the people’s choice, with state-backed stories about women stepping in to cover the fee out of admiration for his “sense of duty.”
The drama peaks on October 30, when “public rallies” across the country will urge Doumbouya to run. What most international observers won’t see is how much of this “grassroots enthusiasm” is manufactured: credible local sources confirm that police, public employees, students, and teachers have all been pressed into joining the crowds in civilian clothes, sending up a staged show of support.
Democracy, Still Just for Show
Guinea’s spectacle is just the latest example of what keeps West African democracy a mirage. Whether in Cameroon or Côte d’Ivoire, the cycle is familiar: aging politicians cling to office, and the younger generation simply refines the methods. What Guinea drives home is that “renewal” in leadership often means nothing more than a fresh cast, playing out the same script of power hoarding and empty ceremony—for now, the only real change is the faces on the posters.
