Guinea-Bissau’s opposition aims to disrupt the country amid a disagreement over President Embalo’s term expiration, claiming it ends Thursday while the Supreme Court states September 4. Elections are now postponed to November 30, raising tensions in a nation with a history of coups. Efforts from ECOWAS to address the situation face refusal from opposition leaders, exacerbating the crisis.
Guinea-Bissau’s opposition has pledged to disrupt the nation on Thursday regarding the expiration of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s five-year mandate. The opposition contends that Embalo’s term ends on Thursday, contrary to the Supreme Court of Justice’s ruling that it concludes on September 4. In response, President Embalo has announced that elections will be postponed to November 30, intensifying concerns over the electoral timeline, which threatens potential unrest in a country with a tumultuous history.
The PAI Terra Ranka coalition, led by the former ruling PAIGC party, declared intentions to render Bissau inactive, stating, “We are going to paralyse the country completely on February 27 … Bissau will be a dead city.” The government has postponed parliamentary elections scheduled for November 2024 indefinitely, citing technical and financial challenges that have disrupted the electoral schedule. Embalo, a former army general, ascended to leadership amidst ongoing political tensions marked by coups and unrest since Guinea-Bissau’s independence in 1974.
During his presidency, Embalo claims that two coup attempts have been made against him, with the most recent occurring in December 2023. Following this attempt, he dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament, citing its inaction amid instances of violence in the capital. Although Embalo recently traveled to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he indicated last year that his wife advised against his candidacy for a second term in upcoming elections.
In efforts to mitigate disputes over the political timeline, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has indicated plans to deploy a mission to Guinea-Bissau. Nevertheless, the opposition coalition has declined to engage with ECOWAS representatives during their visit, alleging bias on the part of the mission. This deepening impasse highlights the fragility of the political landscape in Guinea-Bissau.
The political situation in Guinea-Bissau remains highly volatile as the opposition prepares to challenge the legitimacy of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s term. With conflicting interpretations of his mandate’s expiration and the postponement of elections, tensions are escalating. The response of regional entities like ECOWAS and the ultimate behavior of the opposition will be critical in determining the next steps in this unfolding conflict.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
