Bouya Konaté is a prominent Guinean businessman and political figure. 40-year-old, this wise entrepreneur entered the political arena in 2010 by founding the Union for the Defence of Republican Interests party (UDIR). Known for his charisma and ambition, he challenged the outgoing president Alpha Condé in the 2020 presidential election, gathering considerable support among young people in particular.
Although challenging Condé's results, Konaté has since continued to criticize his management, advocating inclusive dialogue and the release of political prisoners. With the 2021 coup d'état, he adopted an ambivalent position towards the CNRD, welcoming the dialogue framework while calling for clarification of the transitional objectives.
Introduction
Bouya Konaté is a prominent Guinean businessman and political figure. 40-year-old, this wise entrepreneur entered the political arena in 2010, founding the Union for the Defence of Republican Interests party (UDIR). Known for his charisma and ambition, Konaté has established himself as an indispensable figure in the political landscape of Guinea, culminating in his candidacy in the 2020 presidential election.
Education
From a modest background, Bouya Konaté knew very early the importance of education to climb the social ladder. After successful primary and secondary studies, he obtained a master's degree in business management, as well as a certificate in procurement, planning and implementation of procedures for the acquisition of goods and services. Looking to broaden his horizons further, he also obtained a degree in business law.
Professionnal career
Before entering politics, Bouya Konaté had a successful career in business. He held several responsibility positions, including as CEO of Winkon Trade Automobile (WTA) from 2011 to 2020. At the same time, he served as a mission advisor to the High Commander of the African Force in Expectation (FAA) in the African Union from 2012 to 2014.
Konaté also served as a traveling ambassador and presidential mandate holder for the Republic of Guinea from 2009 to 2010. In addition, he served in the Audit Committee of the Presidency from 2008 to 2009, demonstrating his commitment to good governance.
2020 Presidential
The year 2020 marked a turning point in Bouya Konaté's political career. Appointed president of the UDIR on August 29, 2020, he ran into the October 18 presidential race, thus challenging the outgoing Alpha Condé. Although he did not win the election, Konaté created the surprise by gathering considerable support, among the Guinean youth seduced by his reformist speech.
However, the UDIR candidate strongly challenged the results, denouncing "massive fraud" and an electoral process full of irregularities. In an interview with our Djoma TV colleagues, he claimed to have evidence of falsification of the results in some polling stations, thus calling into question the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission. (CENI).
Political struggle
Since the presidential election, Bouya Konaté has continuously criticized Alpha Condé's management of power, accusing him of authoritarian drift and seizure of national wealth. He advocated the release of political prisoners, believing that this calming gesture would lead to an inclusive dialogue and genuine national reconciliation.
When Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya took over the country following the coup of 5 September 2021, Konaté took an ambivalent position. On the one hand, he welcomed the initiative of the National Council for Development (CNRD) to establish an inclusive dialogue framework. But on the other hand, he urged the CNRD to clarify its objectives, considering it counterproductive to want to lead the organization of elections and the implementation of a genuine development programme.
More recently, Konaté has been very critical of Prime Minister Mohamed Béavogui and Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouyaté. According to him, they do not have the stature required to effectively pilot the transition, thus calling for their replacement with profiles more capable of creating the conditions for a fruitful dialogue with all political and social actors.
Conclusion
Bouya Konaté remains a controversial but indispensable figure in the political landscape of Guinea. A wise entrepreneur who became an ambitious politician, he learned to capitalize on his charisma and his reforming discourse to make a name on the national stage. Although his 2020 presidential campaign was unsuccessful, Konaté continued to express his democratic convictions loudly, not hesitating to openly challenge the authorities in place.
What is the future for this determined opponent? Will he be able to convince the Guineans of the correctness of his vision for the country? One thing is certain: Bouya Konaté intends to weigh all his weight to influence the course of the political transition that is currently under way. Only time will tell us whether it will be able to transform the trial and to make its mark lasting on tomorrow's Guinea.
