Guinea-Bissau Faces Institutional Crisis as President Refuses to Step Down

Guinea-Bissau is grappling with an institutional crisis as President Umaro Sissoco Embaló refuses to resign following the expiration of his term. Leader of the PAIGC, Domingos Simões Pereira, demands new elections and the reconvening of parliament, but Embaló has obstructed this process. The opposition is calling for protests amid a deteriorating economic situation, while the ECOWAS mediation efforts have proven ineffective, raising concerns about the country’s political future.

Guinea-Bissau is currently experiencing an institutional crisis, with President Umaro Sissoco Embaló refusing to step down despite his term officially ending on February 28, 2025. Domingos Simões Pereira, head of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), has called for Embaló’s immediate resignation to allow for a new government formation following his coalition’s success in the 2023 parliamentary elections. Embaló’s obstruction has perpetuated political instability in the country.

The parliamentary term has also expired, prompting Pereira to demand both presidential and parliamentary elections within 90 days, rather than the president’s proposed date of November 30. Pereira insists that reconvening the parliament, which Embaló dissolved in December 2023, is crucial to appoint members of the National Election Commission and elect the Constitutional Court president. This sentiment is echoed by various political parties, legal experts, and civil society activists.

Embaló, having ruled by decree for over a year, appears determined to prevent Pereira, whom he accuses of corruption, from gaining power. His administration continues to diminish the influence of myriad political entities, aiming to centralize decision-making authority within his chosen cadre, reflecting his military background and previous ties to the PAIGC before joining a breakaway faction.

Citizen apathy is palpable amidst this political turmoil, exacerbated by an ongoing economic crisis. Nuno Nabiam, former prime minister, states that protests are unavoidable unless constitutional order is restored. Nevertheless, Embaló has dismissed the opposition, labeling them incompetent while maintaining a public rapport with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, raising concerns about his governance priorities. Threats from his administration against potential protests add to the atmosphere of fear among citizens.

Despite rising tensions, significant protests have yet to materialize domestically, deterred by visible security forces and the commencement of Ramadan. However, expatriates in Lisbon have staged demonstrations demanding respect for Guinea-Bissau’s constitutional mandates. Protesters have voiced concerns over the current president’s neglect of domestic issues during his frequent international travels, particularly to Russia.

Mediation efforts from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been fruitless. A high-level delegation visiting Bissau departed after Embaló allegedly threatened to expel them, diminishing hopes for a multilateral resolution to the crisis. Observers have noted that ECOWAS’s efficacy is currently hindered, as it struggles to assert its influence in the region.

In summary, Guinea-Bissau is facing a profound institutional crisis characterized by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s refusal to step down after his term’s expiration. Domingos Simões Pereira’s coalition seeks rapid elections, but Embaló’s actions have stymied parliamentary functions and fueled public dissent. While protests are suppressed, international mediation efforts have failed, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in Guinea-Bissau’s governance and the pressing need for constitutional adherence and democratic integrity.

Original Source: www.dw.com