Guinea's Junta Leader Declared Winner As U.S. Demands 'Free Elections' Elsewhere
Mamady Doumbouya, whose 'Transition Committee' seized power in a 2021 coup, now holds a freshly minted electoral victory in Guinea. Mainstream media dutifully reports this 'result' without dwelling too much on the inherent logical pretzel: a military strongman stages a coup, then 'wins' an election amidst clear restrictions on opposition and assembly. One might recall similar 'elections' in
regions less aligned with Western interests, which typically trigger immediate, unequivocal condemnations and sanctions. Yet, when convenient, a different narrative emerges. This selective outrage showcases a curious double standard. Where are the stern warnings from the U.S. State Department about threats to democracy and 'rules-based order'? Where are the lengthy think-tank analyses on foreign
interference and electoral integrity, usually reserved for nations daring to deviate from prescribed global alignments? Apparently, some coups are more 'coup-y' than others. This 'election' result simply reinforces power for power's sake, a cycle the West often ignores when mining interests or strategic partnerships are at play. It appears 'democracy' is a flexible term, depending on who's doing
the winning.