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Mamadi Doumbuya faces eight rivals in the presidential race, but the main opposition leader is barred from running.

Guinea’s coup leader Mamady Doumbouya has been elected president under provisional results, paving the way for a return to civilian rule after a military takeover nearly five years ago.

Provisional results released on Tuesday showed Doumbouya winning 86.72% of the votes cast on December 28, an outright majority that allowed him to avoid a runoff.

If any challenge arises, the Supreme Court has eight days to certify the results.

Doumbuya, 41, faces eight rivals in the presidential race, but key opposition leaders are barred from running and have urged a boycott of the vote.

The former special forces commander took power in 2021, ousting then-President Alpha Conte who had been in office since 2010. It is one of a series of nine coups that have reshaped politics in West and Central Africa since 2020.