What is going to happen in Guinea? After the coup led by the military junta in September 2021 that overthrew former president Alpha Condé, colonel Mamadi Doumbouya recently decided to compel his ministers to stay at home. No more travelling for them!The former general, that proclaimed himself president of Guinea before the expected elections of 2024, asserted on October 10 that all the Guinean ministers away from the country due to professional and political reasons had to come back home without delay. Doumbouya also forbade them to leave the country starting October 10 until December 31, unless exceptional approval from the president. A few ministers were abroad when the note was published by the general secretary of the government.Why such a decision? Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, spokesman of the government, claimed that Guinea had to rationalize the public expenditures. According to the government, such a measure is allowing the state to strengthen its governmental efficiency.Beyond official announcements, this decision must be considered in the light of the Guinean situation. After the coup organized by the junta that forced Alpha Condé to leave power, the militaries grabbed power but promised they would organize elections in the next couple of years to enable Guinea to start from scratch with a brand new president. The problem is that, as time goes by, the junta is more and more reluctant to leave power.As a matter of fact, the international community had compelled Guinea to organize presidential elections before the end of 2024. If the elections have real chances to take place, the promise will no longer be kept since the rulers are now willing to participate in the presidential elections, which was supposed not to be the case. Several representatives of the junta said they were comfortable with a potential mandate from Doumbouya.
