Mamady Doumbouya has been elected as the president of the Fédération Guinéenne de Football (FÉGUIFOOT), adding to his existing role as Director General of the Autorité de Régulation des Postes et Télécommunications (ARPT). This development has sparked concerns about the compatibility of his dual roles with existing laws and regulations in Guinea. Doumbouya won the FÉGUIFOOT presidential election on October 27, and has been leading the ARPT since May 8, 2023.
According to the law governing ARPT, specifically law L/2015/018/AN, the role of Director General is subject to certain incompatibilities. Article 18 of the law states that the Director General cannot hold any private employment, national or local elective mandate, or have any direct or indirect interest in a company operating in the postal, telecommunications, ICT, audiovisual, or computer sectors. This raises questions about whether Doumbouya's role as FÉGUIFOOT president constitutes a conflict of interest.
The statutes of FÉGUIFOOT outline the responsibilities of its president, but do not explicitly mention any incompatibility with being the Director General of a public institution. Article 42 of the statutes states that the president represents the federation, ensures the implementation of its objectives, and oversees the functioning of its organs. The president is also responsible for proposing the appointment or dismissal of the Secretary General and Secretary General Adjoint, and presiding over various meetings.
Doumbouya's role as ARPT Director General involves regulating the telecommunications sector, while his role as FÉGUIFOOT president involves overseeing the development of football in Guinea. The potential for conflict of interest or undue influence is a concern, given the close relationship between the telecommunications sector and the sports industry.
The Guinean government and regulatory bodies will need to examine the laws and regulations governing these roles to determine whether Doumbouya's dual roles are permissible. If not, Doumbouya may need to relinquish one of his roles to avoid any potential conflicts or incompatibilities.
The situation has sparked debate among stakeholders in Guinea, with some questioning whether Doumbouya's appointment as FÉGUIFOOT president was in line with existing regulations. Others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the development of football in Guinea, given Doumbouya's influential role in the country's telecommunications sector.
Ultimately, the Guinean authorities will need to provide clarity on this issue and ensure that the country's laws and regulations are upheld. The situation highlights the need for clear guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of public officials and the need for transparency in decision-making processes.
Key points
- The compatibility of Mamady Doumbouya's dual roles as ARPT Director General and FÉGUIFOOT president with existing laws and regulations in Guinea is uncertain.
