Guinea President Mamadi Doumbouya Dismisses 173 Soldiers

On August 24, 2023, Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya announced the dismissal of 173 soldiers from the armed forces, citing "desertion" as the reason. The announcement was made via a presidential decree broadcast on state television and read by General Amara Camara, Minister Secretary-General of the Presidency.

The dismissed personnel were drawn from various branches of the military, but the government did not provide details regarding when the soldiers allegedly deserted or the circumstances of their cases. Among those dismissed was Michel Lamah, a member of the elite Groupement des Forces Spéciales, who was notably involved in the September 5, 2021 coup that led to Doumbouya's rise to power.

Following the coup, Doumbouya pledged not to contest elections but later participated in the December 2025 presidential election, reportedly winning about 87 percent of the vote. The dismissals occur as Doumbouya consolidates his authority amid significant developments in Guinea's mining sector.