Djénabou Touré Camara is a renowned Guinean electoral expert, currently serving as the Coordinator for the Reform and Modernization of Civil Status and Identification at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization. With nearly two decades of experience in organizing elections, she has held strategic positions throughout her career, including as Director of the Voter Registry Department at the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and, more recently, as the National Director of Political Affairs and Electoral Administration.
A specialist in electoral operations and the management of biometric registries, she is also an International Workshop Facilitator and Trainer in Transformational Leadership. Her exemplary career, marked by electoral observation missions across Africa and the world, makes her a key figure in electoral governance in Guinea and an inspiring role model.
Introduction
In the political and administrative landscape of Guinea, few individuals have left as significant a mark on the modernization of electoral and identification systems as Mrs. Camara Djénabou Touré. Currently serving as the Coordinator for the Reform and Modernization of Civil Status and Identification at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, this renowned expert embodies excellence and dedication to her country's democratic institutions.
Professional Journey
Djénabou Touré Camara's professional path is marked by increasing responsibilities that highlight her mastery of electoral and identification issues. Her career began in 1998 when she became a member of the High Council for Electoral Affairs, laying the groundwork for a trajectory dedicated to the transparency of democratic processes.
In 2002, she was appointed National Advisor to the National Electoral Commission (CNE) before joining the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in 2005. Her expertise was quickly recognized, leading to her appointment as Vice-President of the Technical Electoral Commission in 2010, solidifying her role in organizing national elections.
Her career gained momentum in 2011 when she became the Deputy National Director of Electoral Administration at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization (MATD). Seconded to the CENI, she successively held the positions of Deputy Director of the Planning Department (2012), Deputy Director of Planning and the Voter Registry (2013-2015), and Director of the Voter Registry Department from 2016 to 2021.
June 24, 2022, marked a major milestone in her career when she was appointed National Director of Political Affairs and Electoral Administration, a testament to her skills and integrity recognized at the highest level of the state.
Expertise in Electoral Systems
Throughout her fifteen years of experience in electoral matters, Mrs. Touré has specialized in voter identification and the establishment of biometric voter registries. This technical expertise grants her a distinct authority in a field crucial for the credibility of electoral processes.
During her tenure at the CENI, she played a critical role in preparing for the 2020 presidential election, overseeing data processing at the central site and working closely with ECOWAS experts to ensure the reliability of the voter registry.
Her vision extends beyond mere technical procedures. In October 2024, at the international seminar on governance and digitalization of civil status, attended by 18 Francophone countries in Conakry, she insightfully highlighted the fundamental link between civil status and the credibility of voter registries: “When you have a population that is not identified, that lacks legal documents like birth certificates, you inevitably create contested voter registries — phantom electoral files.”
A Committed Reformer
Beyond her roles in the electoral field, Mrs. Camara is a member of the inter-ministerial committee for the reform and modernization of civil status, a domain she considers essential for citizen identification and democratic governance.
Her commitment to institutional modernization was evident in her rigorous assessment of Guinean political parties, where she exposed various irregularities, such as the lack of proper headquarters — "some use their living rooms as national headquarters" — and the absence of financial transparency. This approach aligns with her broader mission to strengthen political governance and professionalize the actors within Guinea's democratic landscape.
In March 2022, the President of the Transition and the Minister of Territorial Administration entrusted her with the "heavy responsibility of managing political parties and the electoral process during the Transition", demonstrating the trust placed in her abilities during a crucial period for the country.
International Recognition
Djénabou Touré's expertise extends far beyond Guinea's borders. She has carried out numerous electoral observation missions across Africa and the world and participated in various assessment and expertise missions within the West African sub-region.
Her role as an International Workshop Facilitator and Trainer in Transformational Leadership allows her to share her knowledge and contribute to strengthening the capacities of electoral professionals at a continental level.
An Exceptional Woman
In a field traditionally dominated by men, Mrs. Camara Djénabou Touré has asserted herself through her skills and dedication. She serves as an inspiring role model for young Guinean women aspiring to careers in public administration and electoral governance.
Renowned for her "sincerity, honesty, frankness, moral integrity, intellectual quotient, perseverance, high sense of responsibility, and patriotism", she embodies excellence in service to the state and highlights the crucial role women play in modernizing Guinea's institutions.
Vision for the Future
Today, as the Coordinator for the Reform and Modernization of Civil Status and Identification, Mrs. Touré continues her mission with a clear vision: to equip Guinea with modern and reliable identification systems that will serve as a solid foundation for transparent elections and effective public policies.
Her passion for citizen identification and her technical expertise remain the guiding forces behind her efforts to support Guinea's institutional development, making her an essential figure in electoral governance and a cornerstone of the country's administrative modernization.
Through her exemplary career, Mrs. Camara Djénabou Touré embodies professional excellence, integrity, and patriotic commitment—qualities essential for tackling the challenges of democratic development in Guinea.
