On September 20, 2023, Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya delivered a speech at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where he expressed his gratitude to the Assembly's President and the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. He also congratulated the President on his election and wished him success in leading the session. President Doumbouya emphasized the importance of the UN in meeting the legitimate expectations of the world's people.
President Doumbouya reflected on his previous speech at the UN General Assembly three years ago, where he criticized the imported governance model that had failed to yield desired results in Africa. This time, he returned with a different tone, focusing on sharing Guinea's experiences and achievements. He highlighted the adoption of a new constitution, which was crafted by the Guinean people and introduced significant innovations, including strengthened representation of local communities and recognition of the country's linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity.
The new constitution has enabled Guinea to organize a complete cycle of direct elections, including presidential, legislative, and local elections, as well as the establishment of new institutions. President Doumbouya proudly noted that all these elections were financed entirely by the Guinean Treasury and took place without significant incidents. He saw this as proof that an African country can organize credible, peaceful, and widely accepted elections using its own resources.
President Doumbouya provided an overview of Guinea's accomplishments over the past three years, including the construction of over 1,000 kilometers of paved roads, the completion of the Simandou megaproject – one of Africa's largest mining and infrastructure projects – and the building of schools and hospitals across the country. He also mentioned the construction of three alumina refineries and the completion of the largest gold refinery in Africa.
The President highlighted his government's commitment to sustainable development through the Simandou 2040 program, which aims to transform Guinea's economy over the next 15 years. This program is not just a mining project but a strategic lever for accelerating development in various sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education, and healthcare. President Doumbouya emphasized that the program's goal is to create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for Guinea's youth.
President Doumbouya stressed that Guinea's experience demonstrates that adapted governance models can lead to accelerated development. He cited examples from Asia and the Middle East, where countries have achieved significant progress by adapting universal experiences to their national contexts. He called for a renewed partnership with the international community, based on co-construction and respect for national sovereignty.
In conclusion, President Doumbouya reaffirmed Guinea's commitment to being a reliable, open, and engaged partner with the international community. He expressed his hope that Guinea's experience would inspire a broader reflection on the multiple and legitimate paths to development for Africa. The President's speech was well-received, and his message resonated with the Assembly.
Key points
- Guinea's President Mamadi Doumbouya calls for a renewed partnership with the international community based on co-construction and respect for national sovereignty.
- The President highlights Guinea's achievements, including the adoption of a new constitution and significant progress in infrastructure development.
- President Doumbouya advocates for adapted governance models that take into account the historical, social, and cultural realities of each nation.
