Guinea-Bissau’s President Embalo Seeks Reelection Amid Ongoing Tensions

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has announced intentions to seek a second term amid opposition claims questioning his presidency. Following the departure of an ECOWAS delegation, tensions continue to escalate as the opposition prepares for protests while challenging the legitimacy of his first term. Embalo aims to maintain power until elections set for November 30, despite claims of his term ending earlier.

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has declared his intention to pursue a second term in office this November, despite opposition claims questioning his legitimacy as the president. This announcement comes as a delegation from ECOWAS, tasked with mediating the country’s escalating political crisis, departed, citing concerns of deportation threats against them.

Embalo, who dismissed the parliament dominated by the opposition in late 2023, made his statement after returning from diplomatic missions to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary. Guinea-Bissau’s constitutional provision allows a presidential term of five years, which can be renewed once, leading to the complexity surrounding Embalo’s first term and the opposing view that his term has already concluded.

The political landscape in Guinea-Bissau has been historically turbulent, characterized by numerous coups since its independence in 1973. Although Embalo won the presidential election on November 24, 2019, with his inauguration on February 27, 2020, the opposition contested the election outcome, resulting in the Supreme Court validating his position only on September 4.

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling extending his term, the opposition asserts that it should have ended on February 27, 2023. Embalo has scheduled elections for November 30 and aims to remain in power until that date, while the opposition has refused to recognize his presidency. They have cautioned of potential mass protests and strikes, though they are waiting to evaluate ECOWAS’s effectiveness in addressing the situation.

Embalo has reported surviving two coup attempts during his tenure, including a recent incident in December 2023 between the national and presidential guards, which prompted him to dissolve the parliament, criticizing it for its inaction.

In conclusion, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s decision to seek reelection amid ongoing political tensions raises concerns over the stability of Guinea-Bissau. The opposition’s refusal to recognize his presidency and their planned protests highlight the fragility of the political environment. With impending elections scheduled, the situation warrants close attention, particularly in light of historical political instability in the nation.

Original Source: www.tvcnews.tv