Guinea counts votes in a referendum that could allow junta leader to run for president

CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Vote counting was underway in some polling stations in Guinea Sunday evening in a referendum on a draft constitution that could allow the leader of the country’s junta to run for the presidency.

The referendum, which is a key step in the country’s transition from military to civilian rule, is being closely monitored in the coup-battered region, with critics calling it a power grab. Some say it is a way for Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, who took power by force four years ago, to seek the presidency and legitimize his military rule.

Guinea is one of a growing number of West African countries, including Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, where the military has taken over.

There are 6.7 million eligible voters and the referendum needs a turnout of at least 50% to pass. Some polling stations extended voting time after they were scheduled to close.

The referendum was organized by the Directorate General of Elections, a new body that will oversee the vote count and whose two heads were elected by Doumbouya.

Elections are expected to follow in December.

Dozens of residents wearing their best clothes were lining up in central Conakry before dawn, waiting for a polling station to open.

Mabinty Kalabane, a 23-year-old baker, voted on Sunday for the first time. She came to the polling station in central Conakry in a golden brown dress, a gift from her mother. “I feel proud. I feel 100% Guinean, thanks to this card,” she said, referring to the voting card she held in her hand. She was going to vote “yes” after reading parts of the draft constitution and finding it was “in our advantage.”

In contrast to the festive atmosphere inside the polling stations, tanks and military barricades in the streets were a stark reminder of the junta’s rule.

Doumbouya, wearing a white polo shirt and a cap with Guinea logo on it, arrived Sunday morning at a voting station in downtown Conakry with his wife, a French national, and his son. Dozens of heavily armed special military forces were protecting him from journalists and citizens.

In last days of the campaign, Conakry buzzed with Quran readings, reggae concerts and prayers held in support of Doumbouya. Supporters wearing T-shirts and boubous — traditional West African flowing garments — printed with Doumbouya’s face, gathered at neighborhood rallies. Only one thing was missing: the opposition.

Campaigning was banned on Friday and Saturday, but the referendum remained omnipresent. Public and private buildings in Conakry remained plastered with “Yes" campaign billboards calling for approval of the referendum. At a concert held Friday night in one of Conakry's bars, band members sang a song about Doumbouya, repeatedly chanting “Oui! Oui! Oui!," or “Yes! Yes! Yes!” in French, the country's official language.

The opposition called on their supporters to boycott the referendum. The military regime had silenced critics and last year dissolved more than 50 political parties in a move it claimed was to “clean up the political chessboard.” Weeks before the referendum, it suspended the three main opposition parties, making it impossible for them to organize rallies and speak to the population.

More than half of Guinea's population cannot read or write, which means they only get information about the new constitution from the “yes” camp, said Rafiou Sow, president of the opposition Renewal and Progress Party, one of the suspended political entities, who called for the boycott of the referendum.

“Our activists and supporters have no knowledge of this constitution. The moment we were excluded, they were excluded,” he said. “We, who were supposed to help Guineans understand what is written in it, we are forbidden even to speak.”

Ibrahima Sory Diallo, a 42-year-old clothes seller from Conakry's suburb of Kaporo-Rails, said he followed the opposition's call for a boycott.

“It’s not going well in the country,” he said. “Everyone is suffering. They are telling us it’s going well, but it is not.”

He added: “What they are doing is not pretty. They said they would respect Guinea’s laws, but they have violated them — this is why I haven’t voted.”

When Doumbouya seized control in 2021 after ousting President Alpha Conde, he said he acted to prevent the country from slipping into chaos and chastised the previous government for broken promises.

Despite rich natural resources, over half of Guinea’s population of 15 million people is experiencing “unprecedented levels of poverty and food insecurity,” according to the World Food Program.

Doumbouya initially said he would not run for the presidency. But the draft constitution allows junta members to run for office and extends the presidential mandate from five to seven years, renewable twice.

“Today, clearly the question is about the referendum vote,” Gen. Amara Camara, secretary-general to the presidency, told The Associated Press when asked him whether Doumbouya would seek the top post. “When the time comes, we will talk about it.”

Tiguidanké Guirassy, a 20-year-old university graduate who attended a rally on Thursday evening in central Conakry, said she was “inspired” by Doumbouya to vote in favor of the constitution.

“In my neighborhood, we didn’t have roads,” she said. “Now, he took care of that, we have roads. He has made a lot of progress for Guinea and I hope he will continue on this path.”

If adopted, the constitution would introduce several changes, including creating the Senate and allowing independent candidates to stand in the election.

Fanta Conte, a member of Guinea’s National Transition Council, said the referendum was not about Doumbouya, but about the new constitution, which would give more power to the legislative branch of government.

Analysts said that while the direction of the new constitution was good, the changes were not necessary.

“We've always had constitutions that enshrined balance of powers and democratic and even modern institutions," said Kabinet Fofana, head of the Conakry-based Guinean Association of Political Sciences. “But the problem is not the constitution — it is rather respect (for it), its applicability, and rule of law.”

Critics denounced the referendum as a way to legitimize the military coup.

But many Guineans, disillusioned with previous regimes, have been seduced by Doumbouya's vision of a prosperous, developed Guinea, which would finally benefit all.

“We have seen many regimes here, but since the arrival of (Doumbouya), there has been change," said Ben Daouda Sylla, a 30-year-old lawyer. "He is doing everything possible to ensure that Guinea moves forward.”

Voting slips are emptied from a ballot box at a polling station as polls close during the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Officials count ballots at a polling station as polls close during the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Officials wait at a polling station as polls close during the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Officials work at a polling station during the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Officials count ballots at a polling station as polls close during the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

A woman casts her ballot during the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Voters queue to cast their votes in the constitutional referendum, in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Guinea's interim President, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, departs with his wife after casting his vote in the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Guinea's interim President, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, departs with his wife after casting his vote in the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Guinean soldiers secure the area outside a polling station before Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya arrives to cast his vote in the constitutional referendum, in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Guinea's interim President, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, departs after casting his vote in the constitutional referendum, in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Guinea's interim President, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, arrives with his family to cast his vote in the constitutional referendum, in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Guinean soldiers secure the area outside a polling station before Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya arrives to cast his vote in the constitutional referendum, in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Guinea's interim President, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, arrives to cast his vote in the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Guinea's interim President, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, departs with his wife after casting his vote in the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

CORRECTS TITLE OF MILITARY LEADER A large campaign banner showing Guinea's interim president, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, is displayed on a public building in Conakry, Guinea, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

CORRECTS TITLE OF MILITARY LEADER People walk past a mural showing Guinea's interim president, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, ahead of the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

CORRECTS TITLE OF MILITARY LEADER People stand in front of a billboard showing Guinea's interim President, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, ahead of the constitutional referendum in Conakry, Guinea, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Fishing boats are anchored along the shore in Conakry, Guinea, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Motorcycles travel through a roundabout in Conakry, Guinea, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels reached a confidential settlement Friday in a lawsuit over the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

The decision to settle was reached after a two-month civil trial in Southern California over whether the Angels should be held responsible for Skaggs’ 2019 death after he snorted a fentanyl-laced pill provided by the team’s communications director, Eric Kay.

Skaggs’ widow, Carli, and his parents filed the lawsuit alleging the MLB team knew or should have known Kay was a drug addict and dealing painkillers to players. The settlement closes a painful six-year process, the Skaggs family said in a statement.

“We are deeply grateful to the members of this jury, and to our legal team,” the family said in the statement. "Their engagement and focus gave us faith, and now we have finality. This trial exposed the truth and we hope Major League Baseball will now do its part in holding the Angels accountable. While nothing can bring Tyler back, we will continue to honor his memory.”

The team has contended officials didn’t know Skaggs was taking drugs and would have sought him help if they did.

“The death of Tyler Skaggs remains a tragedy, and this trial sheds light on the dangers of opioid use and the devastating effects it can have," the team said in a statement Friday.

Jurors began deliberating earlier this week.

Orange County Superior Court Judge H. Shaina Colover thanked jurors for their diligence. “That is why this matter was able to be resolved today,” she said, before releasing them.

Six years ago, the 27-year-old left-handed pitcher was found dead in the suburban Dallas hotel room where he was staying as the Angels were supposed to open a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. A coroner’s report said the player choked to death on his vomit, and a toxic mix of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone was found in his system.

Kay, a longtime Angels employee, was convicted in 2022 of providing Skaggs with a counterfeit oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl and sentenced to 22 years in prison. His criminal trial in Texas included testimony from five MLB players who said they received oxycodone from Kay at various times from 2017 to 2019.

In California, MLB players including outfielder Mike Trout, Angels president John Carpino, and Skaggs’ and Kay’s relatives testified during the trial in a Santa Ana courtroom. Witnesses for the plaintiffs described how Kay was acting erratic at the stadium and found with multiple plastic bags filled with pills at his home and later hospitalized for a drug overdose. They also recounted how Kay got players massage appointments, tee times and even prescription medication, and was paid by players for stunts like taking a fastball to the leg.

Angels attorneys pointed out that Skaggs was hooked on painkillers before he signed with the Angels in 2013. They said Skaggs got his teammates into taking pills and got Kay to provide them, but kept it secret out of concern it could jeopardize their MLB careers. Had team officials known Kay was dealing drugs, or Skaggs was taking them, they would have done something, the lawyers said.

Witnesses also sparred during the case over how much money Skaggs would have made as a pitcher had he lived. Experts for the plaintiffs said he could have reeled in between $91 million and $101 million, while the Angels put the figure at no more than $32 million.

Skaggs had been a regular in the Angels’ starting rotation since late 2016 and struggled with injuries repeatedly during that time. He previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After Skaggs’ death, the MLB reached a deal with the players association to start testing for opioids and to refer those who test positive to the treatment board.

Rusty Hardin, an attorney for the plaintiffs, welcomed the settlement and said the amount remains confidential. Hardin said there were rules in place and the Angels ignored them.

“The changes need to be by teams like the Angels who let this happen,” Hardin said.

Before the judge announced the settlement Friday, jurors had remained behind closed doors after lawyers for both sides had gone to speak with Colover.

Late Wednesday, jurors had sent out a note asking whether they “get to decide the punitive damage amount,” saying there is no field for it on the verdict form. The judge said she would send a note replying that if they decide there should be punitive damages, they would decide how much at a later time.

The jury did not work on Thursday and resumed deliberations Friday morning.

Attorney Daniel Dutko gives his closing arguments in the wrongful death lawsuit by the family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs against the Los Angeles Angels in Orange County Superior Court, in Santa Ana, Calif., Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP, Pool)

Attorney Daniel Dutko gives his closing arguments in the wrongful death lawsuit by the family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs against the Los Angeles Angels in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana, Calif., Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP, Pool)

Judge H. Shaina Colover listens as Daniel Dutko gives his closing arguments in the wrongful death lawsuit by the family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs against the Los Angeles Angels in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana, Calif., Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP, Pool)

Attorneys listen as Daniel Dutko gives his closing arguments in the wrongful death lawsuit by the family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs against the Los Angeles Angels in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana, Calif., Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP, Pool)

FILE - In this June 29, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs throws to an Oakland Athletics batter during a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)