In a recent declaration, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of Guinea-Bissau, confirmed his intention to seek re-election this November, despite ongoing tensions with opposition factions that dispute his legitimacy as the current head of state.
This announcement comes on the heels of a departure by the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, from Guinea-Bissau. This bloc, dispatched to mediate the nation’s political disputes, withdrew following alleged threats of expulsion by Embalo.
Embalo, having recently returned from a diplomatic tour that included stops in Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, expressed to reporters at the Bissau airport his decision to campaign for a second term. “I will be a candidate for my own succession,” he stated.
In accordance with the country’s constitutional guidelines, a presidential term lasts five years and can be renewed once. While Embalo aims for re-election under these terms, his first tenure has sparked debate, with the opposition claiming it has already concluded.
The declaration by Embalo threatens to heighten the political unrest in Guinea-Bissau, a nation with a turbulent history of coups since its independence from Portugal more than half a century ago.
Embalo was initially declared the victor in the elections held on November 24, 2019, and was inaugurated on February 27, 2020. However, the opposition challenged the results, and the Supreme Court only validated his presidency on September 4, 2020. Opposition parties argue that Embalo’s term should have ended on February 27 of the current year, whereas the Supreme Court has extended it until September 4.
Election day is set for November 30 as per Embalo, who maintains that he should remain in power until then. Nonetheless, opposition factions have refused to acknowledge his presidency since last week. Leaders from these groups have indicated that they will organize extensive protests and strikes, though they previously awaited the ECOWAS delegation’s effectiveness.
Emphasizing the volatile nature of his presidency, Embalo has cited surviving two assassination attempts over the past three years. The latest occurred in December 2023, marked by a lethal encounter between the national army and presidential security forces. This led to Embalo’s decision to dissolve the opposition-led parliament, accusing it of inaction.
In another move potentially impacting the political landscape, Embalo recently engaged with Russian President Vladimir Putin for discussions on burgeoning economic and security collaborations. Russia’s role as a favored security ally is on the rise across various African governments, gradually replacing traditional Western partners like France and the U.S.
