GUINEA’S military junta leader, General Mamady Doumbouya, has issued a travel ban on government ministers, forbidding any overseas trips without his explicit permission. The order, which came into effect immediately on Thursday, also recalls all ministers currently abroad, instructing them to return to Guinea by the end of the year.
A statement from the government’s general secretary read: ‘On the president’s instructions, all ministers on missions abroad must conclude their work and return to national territory.’ Several ministers are currently overseas, but will now need to comply with the directive.
Government spokesperson Ousmane Gaoual Diallo explained that the travel restriction was part of a broader effort to reduce public spending. ‘The decision reinforces government efficiency while ensuring optimal management of state resources,’ Diallo told AFP. Senior officials and diplomats are still authorised to represent Guinea in international matters.
General Doumbouya, a former colonel who seized power in a coup in September 2021, has been leading the West African nation since ousting the previous government. Initially, the junta agreed to return the country to civilian rule by the end of 2024, following international pressure. However, they have since admitted that this deadline will not be met.
Speculation has grown over Doumbouya’s political ambitions, with several government members publicly backing him to run in the next presidential election. As the junta continues to consolidate power, this latest move to control ministerial activity signals tighter oversight of government operations ahead of potential future elections.
