Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has decided to run for re-election despite previously indicating he would step down. His announcement follows visits to various countries and has reignited debates over the timeline of his current term and the postponement of elections. The Supreme Court has ruled his term ends in September 2025, contrary to opposition claims that it expired in February. Embalo’s governance has been marked by political tensions and previous attempted coups during his presidency.
The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, recently announced his candidacy for a second term in the upcoming November elections, reneging on previous commitments to step down. Upon returning from official visits to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, Embalo stated, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.” This announcement may heighten tensions concerning the conclusion of his current term and ongoing postponed elections.
Embalo’s presidency has been marked by disagreements with the political opposition over the duration of his term, which began in 2020. Opposition leaders maintain that his term concluded at the end of February; however, the Supreme Court of Justice has determined that it will end on September 4, 2025. This conflict has only intensified public dissatisfaction following his declaration that presidential and legislative elections would be delayed until November 30, 2023.
Originally scheduled for November 2024, the legislative elections faced indefinite postponement due to alleged technical and financial challenges, complicating the electoral timeline. In his remarks on Monday, Embalo expressed, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree.” The president, a former army general, has noted past attempts to oust him during his governance, with the latest effort occurring in December 2023.
In previous statements, Embalo revealed that he initially planned to refrain from seeking re-election, indicating that he was dissuaded from doing so by his wife. He continues to navigate a complex political landscape in Guinea-Bissau, a nation historically plagued by coups and political instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s decision to seek a second term in office has raised significant concerns regarding electoral legitimacy and governance in Guinea-Bissau. His conflict with political opposition over the duration of his current term, combined with the postponement of critical elections, could exacerbate the country’s political tensions. As he approaches the elections, the president’s actions will likely continue to be scrutinized, influencing Guinea-Bissau’s political future.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
