The military commander who has ruled Guinea since a coup four years ago has entered the presidential race, breaking an earlier promise to hand power to a civilian government.
Col Mamadi Doumbouya submitted his candidacy at the Supreme Court on Monday, flanked by soldiers and wearing black sunglasses. He did not make any public comment.
Two of Guinea's biggest opposition parties - RPG Arc en Ciel and UFDG - have been excluded from December's contest, which raises concerns about the election's credibility.
Guineans had reacted with shock last month when it was announced that presidential candidates would need to pay a deposit of 875 million Guinean francs ($100,000; £75,000) to contest the election. While the previous deposit was also high at 800 million francs, some analysts had hoped for a reduction to encourage more participation in these historic elections.
Four years ago, Col Doumbouya had pledged to hand power back to civilians, saying 'Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything... As soldiers, we value our word very much.'
The election is being held under a new constitution that allows Col Doumbouya to run for the presidency. Under his rule, the Guinean authorities have been cracking down on peaceful dissent, including attempts to mobilise people toward a return to democratic rule. The junta has been criticized for suspending media outlets, restricting internet access, and brutally suppressing demonstrations.
Yet Col Doumbouya justified deposing then-83-year-old President Alpha Condé on similar charges - including rampant corruption, disregard for human rights, and economic mismanagement.
Aged 40, Doumbouya is currently the youngest African head of state, and December's election will take place in the absence of several prominent figures, including ex-President Alpha Condé and former Prime Ministers Cellou Dalein Diallo and Sidya Touré, all currently living abroad.
