Colonel Mamady Doumbouya is a former legionnaire, a branch of the French army that recruits foreigners.
The former French Legionnaire received military training in France, Israel, Senegal and Liberia.
He participated in different missions in Afghanistan, Ivory Coast, Djibouti and the Central African Republic.
In 2018, he was called to Guinea by President Alpha Conde to take charge of the newly formed Guinea’s Special Force.
However, his attempt to make his Special Forces operate as an autonomous unit away from the Defense Ministry created some friction between him and the government.
The French Legionnaires is known for recruiting foreign soldiers including those of African origins, especially citizens of former French colonies.
They have been operating in Africa since the colonial days and still have a strong presence on the continent.
Many Africans accused the legionnaire for numerous post-colonial coups that took place on the continent in the past decades.
