Umaro Sissoco Embalo has decided to run for re-election in November, reversing his earlier vow to step down. This decision has raised tensions amid disputes over when his current term ends and delays in scheduled elections. Embalo stated he will consult political parties before issuing a presidential decree regarding the elections.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, announced on Monday his intention to seek re-election in November, contradicting previous commitments to cease his presidency after one term. This decision has escalated tensions regarding the conclusion of his current term and the rescheduling of postponed elections.
Following a trip to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, President Embalo stated, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.” He is currently in conflict with opposition parties over the designated end date of his five-year term, which commenced in 2020. Opponents assert that his term concluded in February, while the Supreme Court of Justice has determined it will end on September 4.
Moreover, frustrations have arisen as Embalo indicated that both presidential and legislative elections are not set to occur until November 30. Originally slated for November 2024, the legislative elections have been indefinitely delayed due to technical and financing issues, leading to significant turmoil in the electoral timeline.
President Embalo remarked, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree” regarding the election plans. As a former army general at age 52, he has inherited a history of political instability in Guinea-Bissau, marked by coups since its independence from Portugal in 1974. He also claimed there have been two attempts to overthrow his government during his term, including one in December 2023.
He previously indicated that he would not seek a second term, citing encouragement from his wife as a deterrent against running again. This announcement marks a significant shift in his political strategy and may have profound implications for the future governance of Guinea-Bissau.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s decision to run for a second term, despite earlier promises to step down, signals heightened political tensions in Guinea-Bissau. The ambiguity surrounding the end of his current term and the postponement of elections suggests a potential deepening of the political crisis in this coup-prone nation. His engagement with political parties to clarify election plans will be crucial in shaping the country’s democratic landscape moving forward.
Original Source: www.marketscreener.com
