President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has announced his candidacy for re-election amid political turmoil and opposition refusal to acknowledge him as president. Following recent international engagements, he faces potential protests and strikes from the opposition, who question the legitimacy of his continued rule. The country is approaching presidential elections while Embalo seeks to maintain stability despite ongoing tensions.
BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has declared his intention to seek re-election in November amidst ongoing political instability and opposition dissent regarding his legitimacy. This announcement follows tensions with opposition groups, which have refused to recognize him as the sitting president after he dissolved the parliament in late 2023.
Embalo, upon returning from international visits to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, proclaimed, “I will be a candidate for my own succession”. His announcement comes as a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) departed the nation, facing threats of expulsion from Embalo regarding their attempts to mediate the political crisis.
While Guinea-Bissau’s constitution permits a five-year presidential term, the opposition contends that Embalo’s first term has already concluded, leading to heightened tensions within the nation, which has experienced numerous coups since it gained independence over five decades ago. Although Embalo’s inauguration took place on February 27, 2020, the Supreme Court’s later ruling in September 2023 complicates the matter as it asserted that his term extends until then.
With the presidential elections slated for November 30, Embalo claims he is entitled to remain in office until that date. Opposition leaders have indicated their intention to orchestrate mass protests and strikes, pending the outcome of ECOWAS’s intervention attempts. Embalo has endured two coup attempts during his tenure, significantly escalating political unrest in an already volatile environment.
In a notable diplomatic effort, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to explore economic and security collaboration, reflecting a shift as many African nations are gravitating towards Russia as a trusted partner, potentially at the expense of traditional allies such as France and the United States.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is poised to pursue a second term amid significant opposition and political turmoil in Guinea-Bissau. His announcement, driven by constitutional provisions, comes in the face of unresolved tensions regarding his legitimacy as president. As the country approaches November elections, both government and opposition factions prepare for intensified action as they navigate the complexities of the nation’s tumultuous political landscape.
Original Source: apnews.com
