Kigali, Rwanda – President Paul Kagame arrived in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, on January 16 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Mamadi Doumbouya.
Upon arrival, President Kagame was received by Guinea’s Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, as senior officials from both countries welcomed the Rwandan delegation under the national flags of Rwanda and Guinea.
Kagame is among several African heads of state and high-level representatives expected to attend the inauguration, underscoring the regional significance of the moment.
General Mamadi Doumbouya, 41, was declared the winner of the December 28 presidential election after securing 86.72 percent of the vote, a result later validated by the Supreme Court.
The vote followed the adoption of a new constitution through a September referendum, widely regarded as a decisive step toward restoring constitutional order after the 2021 change of power that brought Doumbouya to the helm as interim president.
The inauguration, set to take place at the General Lansana Conté Stadium on the outskirts of Conakry, will mark the start of a seven-year presidential term.
It comes after a transition period during which Guinea prioritized political stabilization, security reforms, and major strategic investments, notably the Simandou iron ore project, one of the largest mining developments currently underway worldwide.
Authorities say these efforts have contributed to renewed investor confidence and prospects for economic recovery. President Kagame’s visit also reflects growing ties between Kigali and Conakry.
The two leaders last met in November 2025 during the launch of the Simandou project, while Doumbouya previously visited Rwanda in May, engaging both President Kagame and members of the Guinean community.
Kagame has since congratulated Doumbouya on his electoral victory and expressed optimism about deepening bilateral cooperation.
The event is widely seen as a symbolic turning point, raising expectations of political stability, economic opportunity, and national unity, while reinforcing Rwanda’s support for peaceful transitions and strengthened continental partnerships.
