Nigeria has once again asserted its position as the stabilising force of West Africa as Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the historic inauguration of President Mamadi Doumbouya in Conakry on Saturday.
The event, held at the General Lansana Conté (GLC) Stadium in Nongo, marks a momentous democratic watershed for Guinea-Conakry, signalling the formal end of a four-year military transition following the country’s general elections in December 2025.
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Doumbouya takes the oath of office under a revised constitutional framework approved via a national referendum in September 2025.
Under the new laws, the presidential tenure has been extended from five to seven years, with a strict limit of two terms.
In a stadium filled with cheering citizens and fanfare, the Guinean leader pledged to prioritise national cohesion and transparent governance.
“Under this administration, the country’s peace and national cohesion will not be compromised,” Doumbouya declared in his inaugural address.
Shettima’s attendance was more than ceremonial; it served as a powerful endorsement of the ECOWAS spirit of unity.
His presence underscored Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” foreign policy, which views democratic stability as the essential foundation for regional prosperity.
The inauguration attracted a “who’s who” of continental leadership.
Among those in attendance were the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray, as well as heads of state from Ghana, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania.
High-ranking representatives also attended from South Africa, Rwanda, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.
Beyond the diplomatic handshakes, Shettima’s mission to Conakry carries significant economic weight.
The visit is part of a strategic drive to expand the economic corridor between Nigeria and Guinea.
By fostering closer ties with the new administration, Nigeria aims to enhance bilateral trade in mining, agriculture, and energy, ensuring that the transition to democracy yields immediate “dividends of peace” for the citizens of both nations.
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Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria has consistently advocated for the restoration of constitutional order across the sub-region.
The successful transition in Guinea is seen as a major victory for the diplomatic efforts led by Nigeria within the ECOWAS bloc, proving that dialogue and structured transitions remain the most viable path to regional security.
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