President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has officially announced his candidacy for re-election in the postponed November elections. He claims he will win in the first round. His current term’s legitimacy is disputed by opposition factions, leading to organized strikes that have been limited by security forces. The political environment remains unstable, with a history of coups and challenges to democratic governance.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, announced on Monday his intention to pursue a second term in the upcoming elections, which have been postponed to November due to logistical and financial difficulties. “I will be a candidate, without a doubt, and I am going to win right from the first round,” Embalo stated to an AFP correspondent following his return from a state visit to Russia.
Having been sworn in on February 27, 2020, amidst a contentious election, President Embalo now faces opposition assertions regarding the expiration of his term, which they claim ended last Thursday. These assertions have prompted opposition-led strikes, although the impact was limited by the deployment of security forces in Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau has been marked by political instability, stemming from its history of coups since gaining independence in 1974. In December 2023, Embalo dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament after violent clashes, which he labeled as an attempted coup. Originally, he had announced early legislative elections for November 2024, but he later postponed them indefinitely via a presidential decree. Elections are now rescheduled for November 30.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau is determined to seek re-election amid claims from the opposition regarding the expiration of his current term. The postponed elections, set for November 30, follow a backdrop of political tension and instability within the nation. His recent declaration of candidacy signifies his commitment to continue leading despite significant challenges.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
