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A Complete Timeline of Guinea's Political Leadership

From independence in 1958 to the present day, Guinea has been led by presidents, acting heads of state and military leaders who each shaped the country's history in different ways.


Some were elected by popular vote, others assumed office after the death of a president or through military intervention. Together, they tell the story of Guinea's political evolution since independence.

In office: 2 October 1958 – 26 March 1984

🇬🇳 Ahmed Sékou Touré

I

n office: 2 October 1958 – 26 March 1984

Born: 9 January 1922

Died: 26 March 1984 (aged 62)

Political affiliation:

  • Ahmed Sékou Touré
  • Democratic Party of Guinea


Came to power


Following Guinea's vote for independence in the 1958 referendum, Sékou Touré became the country's first president and founding head of state. He led the independence movement and was widely recognised as the central figure in Guinea's transition from French colonial rule to sovereignty.


Left office


He remained president until his death from a heart attack during medical treatment in the United States on 26 March 1984. His death ended more than twenty-five years of continuous rule.


Notes


  • First President of independent Guinea.
  • Led the country from independence.
  • Promoted Pan-Africanism and African sovereignty.
  • Established a one-party state.
  • His presidency remains one of the most debated periods in Guinean history, remembered both for its strong anti-colonial stance and for political repression.

Acting Head of State: 27 March 1984 – 3 April 1984

🇬🇳 Louis Lansana Béavogui


Acting Head of State: 27 March 1984 – 3 April 1984

Born: 28 January 1923

Died: 19 August 1984 (aged 61)

Political affiliation:

  • Democratic Party of Guinea (PDG)


Came to power


As Prime Minister, Béavogui assumed leadership immediately following the death of Ahmed Sékou Touré while constitutional succession was being arranged.


Left office


His brief administration ended when the military seized power in a coup led by Colonel Lansana Conté on 3 April 1984.


Notes


  • Served for only a few days.
  • Never formally consolidated presidential authority.
  • His government was interrupted by Guinea's first military coup.

In office: 3 April 1984 – 22 December 2008

🇬🇳 Lansana Conté


In office: 3 April 1984 – 22 December 2008

Born: 30 November 1934

Died: 22 December 2008 (aged 74)

Political affiliation:

  • Military (1984–1993)
  • Party of Unity and Progress (from 1993)


Came to power


Colonel Lansana Conté seized power in a military coup shortly after the death of Ahmed Sékou Touré, ending the rule of the Democratic Party of Guinea. He later became civilian president following the introduction of multiparty politics and electoral reforms.


Left office


He remained in office until his death after a long illness on 22 December 2008.


Notes


  • Ruled Guinea for almost twenty-five years.
  • Introduced multiparty elections during the 1990s.
  • Oversaw important economic reforms.
  • His presidency also faced criticism over governance, corruption and political unrest.

23 December 2008 – 3 December 2009

🇬🇳 Moussa Dadis Camara


In office: 23 December 2008 – 3 December 2009

Born: 1 January 1964

Political affiliation:

  • Military
  • National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD)


Came to power


Following the death of Lansana Conté, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara led a military coup and became head of the ruling junta.


Left office


His rule ended after he was seriously wounded during an assassination attempt in December 2009. Power was subsequently transferred to General Sékouba Konaté.


Notes


  • Came to power during a period of political uncertainty.
  • His presidency was marked by significant national and international controversy.
  • Later convicted in relation to the 2009 stadium massacre, though he received a humanitarian pardon in 2025. 

3 December 2009 – 21 December 2010

🇬🇳 Sékouba Konaté


In office: 3 December 2009 – 21 December 2010

Born: 6 June 1964

Political affiliation:

  • Military


Came to power


General Sékouba Konaté assumed leadership after Moussa Dadis Camara was incapacitated. He guided Guinea through a transitional period towards democratic elections.


Left office


He voluntarily handed power to the democratically elected president, Alpha Condé, after the 2010 presidential election.


Notes


  • Oversaw Guinea's first competitive presidential election.
  • Widely recognised for facilitating the transition to civilian government.

21 December 2010 – 5 September 2021

🇬🇳 Alpha Condé


In office: 21 December 2010 – 5 September 2021

Born: 4 March 1938

Political affiliation:

  • Rally of the Guinean People


Came to power


Alpha Condé won Guinea's 2010 presidential election, becoming the country's first democratically elected president through a competitive electoral process. He was subsequently re-elected in 2015 and 2020.


Left office


He was removed from office during a military coup led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya on 5 September 2021.


Notes


  • First opposition leader to become president through democratic elections.
  • Oversaw significant mining investment, including the Simandou project.
  • His constitutional reforms and third-term bid generated major political controversy.

Since 5 September 2021

🇬🇳 Mamady Doumbouya


In office: Since 5 September 2021

Born: 4 March 1980 (some published sources have reported different birth years).

Political affiliation:

  • Military (CNRD)
  • Independent (from the 2025 election)


Came to power


Colonel Mamady Doumbouya led the military coup that removed President Alpha Condé in September 2021. He became transitional president and was inaugurated as civilian president in January 2026 following the 2025 presidential election under Guinea's new constitution.


Left office


Currently serving.


Notes


  • Former commander of Guinea's Special Forces.
  • Promised institutional reform and constitutional transition after the 2021 coup.
  • Oversaw the adoption of a new constitution and subsequent presidential election. 

Additional Information Available on the Following Pages

GUINEAPEDIA Tips – Explore Guinea