Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has declared his candidacy for a second term in November, reversing his earlier pledge to step down. His announcement has reignited disputes over the end date of his current term and the delays in elections, originally planned for 2024 but postponed to November 30, 2025 due to technical issues. The president emphasized the need for dialogue with political parties regarding the forthcoming elections.
On Monday, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, announced his candidacy for a second term in the upcoming November elections, reversing his prior commitment to step down. This decision raises concerns regarding existing tensions over the duration of his current term and the delays in the election schedule.
Embalo, shortly after returning from a diplomatic trip to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, declared, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.” This assertion has intensified disputes with political opposition regarding the termination of his current five-year term, which began in 2020. While the opposition insists that his term ended in February, the Supreme Court of Justice maintains it will conclude on September 4.
Furthermore, dissatisfaction has arisen following Embalo’s announcement that both presidential and legislative elections are postponed until November 30 of this year. Originally slated for November 2024, the parliamentary elections have been indefinitely delayed due to reported technical and financial difficulties, thereby disrupting the electoral timeline.
Embalo stated, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree,” reflecting his intention to consult with political factions before making further announcements. As a 52-year-old former army general, he has faced considerable political challenges, inheriting a fraught political landscape marred by a history of coups and instability since the nation gained independence in 1974.
He claimed that there were two attempts to overthrow his government during his presidency, with the latest occurring in December 2023. Despite previous intentions to step back from political life, the president revealed last year that his wife had influenced his decision to seek a second term.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau plans to run for a second term in the upcoming elections, contrary to his earlier statements about stepping down. His announcement has rekindled debates over the timing of his current term’s conclusion and the postponed elections. This political maneuvering occurs amid a backdrop of civil unrest and previous coup attempts, highlighting the ongoing instability in the region.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
