Citizens cast their ballots in the country’s first presidential election since the 2021 military coup, a crucial step toward restoring civilian rule. Analysts predict a likely victory for junta leader, General Mamadi Doumbouya, who has been overseeing the transition.

Research Analyst with the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network and at Ghana’s Center For Democratic Development, David Kofi Asante-Darko says concerns have been raised about Doumbouya’s clampdown on opposing voices.

“Dumboya for one, hasn’t been particularly tolerant of opposition and given the current state that West Africa finds itself in, that is going to be a challenge because increasingly we are seeing the rise and bolstering of authoritarianism within the neighboring countries across West Africa. We should hope for is that you have presidencies who now will put more emphasis on the needs and the interests of the public as opposed to those are private ones,” he said.

–ChannelAfrica–