Guinea has limited access to social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook as the country waits for the final results of Sunday's presidential election. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that these popular sites were not accessible through major providers Orange and MTN.
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| PHOTO: SOCIA MEDIA |
Early results published late on Monday showed that Gen Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of the military junta who seized power years ago, is leading the presidential race by a large margin, according to AFP news agency.
The main opposition leaders were not allowed to take part in the election. There has been no official statement about the internet restrictions, but critics believe the junta is trying to prevent criticism of the election results.
According to official partial results shared on television by Djenabou Toure, head of the General Directorate of Elections, Gen Doumbouya received over 80% of the votes in several districts in the capital city of Conakry.
A group fighting for the return of civilian rule called the election a "charade," and opposition candidates claimed the voting process had many irregularities. Gen Doumbouya also had a large lead in other areas, including Boffa and Fria in the west, Gaoual in the north-west, northern Koundara and Labe, and Nzerekore in the south-east, according to AFP.
After toppling then-83-year-old President Alpha Condé in 2021, Gen Doumbouya promised not to run for office and to return power to civilians. At the time, he said, "Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything... As soldiers, we value our word very much."
However, he broke this promise by running in the election after a new constitution, introduced in September, allowed him to do so.
Eight other candidates competed in the election, but with the main opposition parties, RPG Arc en Ciel and UFDG, excluded, none of the candidates had strong political support.
Although popular among many of Guinea's youth, Gen Doumbouya has faced criticism for restricting opposition activity, banning protests, and limiting freedom of the press leading up to the elections.
He justified removing Condé on similar grounds, including widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and poor economic management. Guinea has the world's largest reserves of bauxite and some of the richest iron ore deposits.
Last month, the government launched the massive Simandou iron-ore mine, which generated a lot of excitement.
Yet, according to World Bank data, more than half of the population lives in poverty.
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