Timbuktu Institute - Week 3 September 2026 

In his second address to the United Nations General Assembly, the Guinean head of state devoted most of his speech to the record of his action since coming to power. Highlighting the adoption of the new Constitution, infrastructure development and the Simandou 2040 programme, Mamadi Doumbouya turned this platform, usually devoted to states’ visions on international issues, into a presentation of his domestic policy.

Before the UN, Mamadi Doumbouya Defends His Record

Anticipating criticism likely to target the nature of his rule, the president also defended a model of governance adapted to the “national genius”, citing countries in Asia and the Middle East that “did not wait for an external model to be validated for them before building their prosperity”. He also called for building an international partnership “respectful of the sovereignty of each nation”, based on “win-win co-construction” rather than “preconceived frameworks”.

In New York, the Guinean Diaspora Protests Against the Government

On the sidelines of his speech, several hundred members of the Guinean diaspora gathered in front of the hotel where Mamadi Doumbouya was staying to express their discontent with the head of state. The protesters notably denounced the repression carried out by the authorities and the partiality of the judicial system.

An Opponent of Mamadi Doumbouya Prevented from Travelling to the United States?

Former Guinean Prime Minister and UFDG president Cellou Dalein Diallo says he was prevented from travelling to New York, where he was due to attend several meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. His passport was reportedly revoked by the Guinean authorities without his being informed. His party denounces a violation of rights and accuses the Conakry government of seeking to restrict political freedoms. This measure adds to the dissolution of the UFDG and other opposition parties decided in early March on the grounds of “failure to meet their obligations”.

Guinea, Africa’s Leading Recipient of Foreign Investment

On the economic front, Guinea recorded more than 7.7 billion dollars in foreign direct investment in 2025, placing it at the top of the continent, largely thanks to the Simandou mining project. However, the benefits for national companies remain limited. Only one billion dollars has reportedly been paid to them, with the rest going mainly to Chinese and Portuguese companies. With a further 13 to 15 billion dollars still to be invested in the Simandou project, the challenge now lies in Guinea’s ability to involve national companies more closely in the project, so that the influx of foreign capital can benefit the local economic fabric.

Simandou: A New Contract Bolsters Guinea’s Economic Ambitions 

The Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) and the American group Wabtec have signed a 700-million-dollar contract to support the operation and maintenance of the locomotive fleet assigned to the Simandou project, with a cumulative commitment raised to 1.2 billion dollars over more than 14 years. According to the Minister of Mines and Geology, Bouna Sylla, this commercial agreement should also enable a “transfer of technology” and the local training of teams.