Guinea’s military junta has announced that a constitutional referendum will take place on September 21, 2025, marking a significant step toward restoring civilian rule. This decision follows repeated delays and broken promises by the junta to organize the vote, which has fueled public frustration and opposition protests.

General Mamadi Doumbouya, the junta leader, had previously declared 2025 as a “crucial electoral year” for returning to constitutional order but failed to provide a clear timeline. The missed December 31, 2024 deadline for launching the democratic transition led to widespread anger, with protests bringing the capital, Conakry, to a standstill.

The referendum will address key constitutional changes, including presidential term limits and whether junta members can participate in future elections. If passed, these changes could overturn the junta’s “transition charter,” which currently prohibits its members from running for office.

Critics have accused Guinea’s military leaders of suppressing opposition voices by detaining journalists and activists on questionable charges. The referendum’s outcome will be pivotal in determining whether Guinea can move forward toward democracy or remain under military control.

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