Guinean writer Tierno Monénembo, 77, who won the Prix Renaudot in 2008 for Le Roi de Kahel (Seuil) [The King of Kahel, (AmazonCrossing)], fled the regime of Sekou Touré in 1969. Touré, Guinea's first president, ruled through violence for 25 years (1958-1984). Since then, Monénembo, who now resides in Conakry, Guinea's capital, has become a critical observer of his country's various regimes and is open about his concerns regarding the extended transition under Mamadi Doumbouya. Doumbouya, who seized power by force in 2021, had pledged to hold elections before the end of 2024.

The transition in Guinea was theoretically supposed to end on Tuesday, December 31. But Mamadi Doumbouya will remain in power beyond the set deadline. Why is he refusing to hold elections?

It's an act of monarchy. Mamadi Doumbouya has never respected the transitional charter he swore an oath to uphold, which gave him a semblance of legitimacy. By trampling on the electoral timetable drawn up in agreement with all major national actors and endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States, he is not only sacrificing Guinean democracy but also thumbing his nose at the international community.

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