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General Doumbouya Elected President of Guinea
On Sunday, 4 January 2026, Guinea’s Supreme Court confirmed that General Mamadi Doumbouya, who first came to power through a putsch in 2021, had won the presidential elections with 86.7 % of the vote.
Amid claims that many voters had abstained because the main opposition leaders had been prevented from standing, and civil liberties had been curbed, it was a relief to note that the election process was not marred by large-scale civil unrest.
In a country where political transitions are frequently marked by volatility, the period surrounding the vote remained calm. Despite the protests of international human rights groups and opposition figures, the immediate security environment in the capital, Conakry, and around the major port hubs has remained stable, allowing for uninterrupted maritime operations.
General Doumbouya’s government has centered its economic policy on the renegotiation and acceleration of mining projects, particularly for iron and bauxite.
The primary focus is ensuring that Guinea’s mineral wealth translates into domestic infrastructure and a healthy economy.
Reinforcing State Control of Mineral Resources including Bauxite
A central pillar of the President’s strategy is the consolidation of state control over strategic assets. To this end, the state-owned entity Nimba Mining Company was set up by presidential decree on 4 August 2025 to serve as a primary vehicle for sovereign participation.
Licensing Disputes and Regulatory Pressure
The administration has demonstrated a willingness to use coercive measures to ensure compliance with its “Value-Addition” policy. This is most evident in the recent disputes with major international operators:
The GAC Dispute
In late 2024 and throughout 2025, the government engaged in a high-stakes standoff with Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), a subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) accused of failing to meet their commitment to build a multi-billion-dollar alumina refinery.
Instructing Customs and the Ministry of Mines to cease any activity on vessels carrying GAC bauxite, the government de facto suspended GAC’s bauxite exports by making it impossible for ships with GAC bauxite on board to obtain clearance.
In August 2025, it was announced that GAC’s mining rights had been transferred to the newly formed Nimba Mining Company.
The Axis International Dispute
Similarly, the administration has taken a firm line against another Emirati mining company, Axis International, regarding licensing and the development of assigned perimeters. The government’s move to revoke or renegotiate these rights highlights a broader cleanup of the mining cadaster, where “dormant” licenses or those held by companies without immediate refinery plans are being reclaimed or transferred to entities more aligned with the President’s 2040 vision.
Local Content Enforcement
Beyond refineries, the government has increased pressure on companies to adhere to the 2022 “Local Content” laws which oblige companies to employ quotas of Guinean staff and use of local subcontractors for logistics and port services. Companies which fail to comply face the threat of significant administrative fines.
The Simandou Project
President Doumbouya has completed complex negotiations for the Simandou iron ore deposit, the world’s largest untapped high-grade ore reserve. The project is managed through a joint venture between the Guinean state, Rio Tinto, and the Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS).
The Simandou project includes a 600km “Trans-Guinéen” railway and the Morebaya deep-water port. These assets are designed to be “multi-user,” meaning they should eventually serve other economic sectors beyond iron ore.
International and Professional Background
General Doumbouya’s governance is defined by a career rooted in elite military structures. He served for several years in the French Foreign Legion, rising to the rank of Corporal with deployments in Afghanistan, Ivory Coast, and Djibouti.
His profile is further shaped by specialized training at the École de Guerre in Paris and programs led by the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom.
Prior to taking power, he commanded the Special Forces Group (GFS), the elite unit that ultimately carried out the 2021 coup against President Alpha Condé.