Guinea’s presidency has moved to calm speculation over the prolonged absence of President Mamady Doumbouya, saying he is in “good health” and will return to the country within days. The 41-year-old leader left Guinea on 13 February to attend an African Union summit in Addis Ababa and has not been seen publicly since. His extended stay abroad sparked rumours on social media and among opposition figures about his condition.
Presidential adviser Thierno Mamadou Bah told local media that Doumbouya used the trip to undergo a routine medical check-up. “He took advantage of the opportunity to ensure he remains in full capacity to serve,” Bah said, adding that test results were “reassuring” and there was no cause for concern. Doumbouya, a former special forces commander, seized power in September 2021 after overthrowing then-president Alpha Conde, Guinea’s first democratically elected leader. The coup was condemned internationally but drew domestic support from critics of Condé’s controversial third-term bid.
Since taking power, Doumbouya has faced criticism from rights groups and opposition parties over restrictions on protests, media freedoms and political activity. In December, he secured a seven-year presidential mandate in a vote boycotted by major opposition parties, raising concerns about political inclusivity and democratic reforms. In recent months, the president has largely stayed out of the public spotlight, appearing briefly during the campaign period and again to cast his ballot. He re-emerged in January for his swearing-in ceremony and later addressed leaders at the African Union summit in February. His advisers insist he will return to the capital, Conakry, “in the next few days,” seeking to dispel uncertainty in a country still navigating political transition and economic challenges.
