Guinea-Bissau’s President Embalo Announces Bid for Second Term Amidst Political Tensions
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau announced he will run for a second term as political tensions with opposition groups persist. His legitimacy is disputed by the opposition, which claims his term ended earlier this year. Despite threats to his presidency and a recent coup attempt, Embalo remains determined to maintain his office until the elections scheduled for November 30, 2025.
BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, has formally announced his candidacy for a second presidential term in the upcoming elections scheduled for November. This announcement comes amid escalating tensions with opposition parties that continue to challenge his legitimacy as the current president.
In a recent statement made at the airport in Bissau following international visits to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, Embalo expressed, “I will be a candidate for my own succession.” His decision to pursue another term is contentious, particularly as the opposition argues that his initial term has already concluded.
The political landscape in Guinea-Bissau is fraught with complexities, especially given the dissolution of the opposition-controlled parliament in late 2023 by Embalo. After winning the election on November 24, 2019, he was sworn into office on February 27, 2020. However, the opposition vehemently disputes the validity of his election and asserts that his term expired on the anniversary of his inauguration.
The presidential election is set for November 30, and Embalo insists he has the right to remain in office until then. Opposition leaders have announced intentions to organize mass protests and strikes against his administration as they refuse to recognize him as president. They are currently assessing the effectiveness of a recent ECOWAS mission intended to mitigate the ongoing political crisis.
Embalo has faced significant challenges to his presidency, surviving two coup attempts within three years, the latest occurring in December 2023. Following this threat to his leadership, Embalo attributed his actions of dissolving parliament to the opposition’s inactivity. In a bid to enhance economic and security partnerships, he has engaged with foreign leaders, including President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s announcement to seek a second presidential term highlights the deepening political turmoil in Guinea-Bissau. The opposition continues to contest his legitimacy, asserting that he has overstayed his term. As tensions mount, with potential protests and strikes planned, the upcoming election will be pivotal for the nation’s political future.
Original Source: halifax.citynews.ca
