The Supreme Court has certified the December 28 presidential vote, which was won by General Mamady Doumbouya

Guinea's Supreme Court on Sunday certified General Mamady Doumbouya as the winner of the December 28 presidential election with 86.72% of the vote. Doumbouya will take office for a sevenyear term.

The official election result was delivered by Supreme Court President Fode Bangoura. Runnerup Abdoulaye Yero Balde received 6.59% of the vote and voluntarily withdrew his legal challenge of the provisional results.

Doumbouya's election comes under a new constitution approved in a September referendum, which extended the presidential term from five to seven years and removed a ban on military leaders running for office.

In a broadcast following the ruling, Doumbouya said: "Today, there are neither winners nor losers. There is only one Guinea, united and indivisible." He also called on citizens to "build a new Guinea, a Guinea of peace, justice, shared prosperity, and fully assumed political and economic sovereignty."

The vote was Guinea's first presidential election since a military coup in September 2021, during which Doumbouya led forces that removed thenPresident Alpha Conde.

Guinea has experienced recurring political instability and coups since gaining independence from France in 1958. Doumbouya is credited by supporters with advancing major development initiatives during his four years in office, particularly in mining and infrastructure.

The electoral commission initially reported voter turnout at around 80.95%. The Supreme Court later revised the figure to 82.86% in the official tally.

Several leaders have congratulated Doumbouya on his victory, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

(RT.com)