Guinea’s junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya has elevated himself to the rank of army general as the coup-hit West African country marked the creation of its all-powerful armed forces.
43 year old Doumbouya, seized power by force in September 2021 by overthrowing President Alpha Conde, who had placed the then-colonel in charge of an elite force tasked with protecting the head of state from such coups.
In a decree, Doumbouya whose supporters have urged him to run for president when the junta does cede the reins was likewise awarded the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Colatier, the country’s highest distinction.
Doumbouya has presided over an ongoing crackdown on dissent, with many opposition leaders detained, brought before the courts or forced into exile.
