Sissoco Embalo’s presidential term ended on February 28, 2025, but he refuses to step down. Domingos Simoes Pereira calls for immediate elections and restoration of the assembly. Protests erupt both locally and abroad, with mounting calls for democracy. Meanwhile, Embalo seeks to maintain control, using claims of corruption against Pereira. The political atmosphere remains tense as military presence grows amidst potential unrest.
On February 28, 2025, the five-year presidential term of Sissoco Embalo officially ended. Though he was legally required to step down as President of Guinea-Bissau, he refused to relinquish his position. Domingos Simoes Pereira, the leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), emphasized that Embalo must resign immediately without any delays.
Pereira has been at the forefront of uniting parties that won a significant majority in the parliamentary election of 2023. However, since then, Embalo has obstructed Pereira’s efforts to establish a government. Additionally, Pereira has called for new presidential and parliamentary elections to be held within 90 days, contrasting with Embalo’s declaration of November 30 as the new election date.
According to Pereira, the constitution mandates the swift re-establishment of the dissolved assembly from 2023. This assembly is set to elect members of the electoral commission and the president of the constitutional court, whose term has also expired. Many other political parties and civil society representatives share this sentiment regarding the urgency of legal restoration in Guinea-Bissau.
Former Prime Minister Nuno Nabiam, who leads the second-largest opposition party, API, stated that protests are inevitable until the rule of law is restored. He asserted, “Protests are unavoidable. Things must be set right in the country until the legal framework is restored. The constitution must be upheld, and I firmly believe that.”
Guineans living abroad have also organized demonstrations, calling for respect for the constitution and Embalo’s resignation. Specifically, Guineans residing in Lisbon, Portugal, are rallying for adherence to the law, arguing that since Embalo’s term has concluded, he should step down gracefully for the advancement of democracy.
For over a year, Embalo has been utilizing special powers and appears determined to thwart Domingos Simoes Pereira’s influence. His government has accused Pereira of corruption, asserting that he will not appoint Pereira as Prime Minister.
Pedro Jandim, PAIGC’s representative in Germany, commented on the current turmoil, stating, “We have a president who does not care about the problems faced by his people at home; his focus is solely abroad. Schools and hospitals are non-functional. Nothing is operational in Guinea-Bissau.”
Currently, it seems Embalo seeks to maintain his presidency indefinitely while restricting the influence of other political parties and appointing only those he favors to his government. Embalo, a former general, previously served as Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau from 2016 to 2018 and was originally a member of the PAIGC before joining the MADEM G15 party.
However, Embalo has characterized the opposition as uninformed, highlighting his bold forays into international politics, including meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Interior Minister Botche Candé, a key associate of Embalo, has threatened that the government will not tolerate any protests, warning that security forces will suppress any disturbances within the country.
The situation in Guinea-Bissau remains tense, with troops deployed on the streets amidst fears of future developments. Although an ECOWAS delegation, led by Nigerian diplomat Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, visited Bissau, they had to leave promptly after Embalo issued a warning against their presence prior to his trip to Russia. Bubacar Ture, head of a coalition of human rights organizations in Guinea-Bissau, indicated skepticism regarding ECOWAS’s ability to influence the ongoing crisis.
In summary, the political climate in Guinea-Bissau is marked by significant unrest as President Sissoco Embalo resists stepping down after the expiration of his term. Calls from opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira and widespread public protests demand adherence to the constitution and the restoration of parliamentary governance. With the opposition united and global protests escalating, the urgent need for legal restoration becomes increasingly clear. The presence of military forces and hindrances against diplomatic interventions indicates a highly volatile atmosphere that requires careful navigation to prevent further destabilization.
Original Source: www.dw.com
