Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo Announces Second Term Candidacy
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo plans to run for a second term in November, contrary to his earlier promises to resign. Disagreements persist regarding the timeline of his term’s end, with opposition claiming it expired in February, while the Supreme Court states it lasts until September. Delayed elections further complicate the political landscape as Embalo emphasizes the need for cooperation with various parties before issuing an electoral decree.
On Monday, Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced his intention to seek a second term in the upcoming elections scheduled for November, contradicting previous commitments to step down. Following international visits to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, Embalo stated, “I will be a candidate in my own succession,” indicating his plans to secure another term in office.
Tensions have arisen between Embalo’s administration and the political opposition regarding the conclusion of his current five-year term, which started in February 2020. The opposition maintains that this term expired in February, whereas the Supreme Court of Justice has affirmed that it will officially end on September 4. Furthermore, concerns have grown over the delayed presidential and legislative elections, now set for November 30, 2025, rather than the originally planned date of November 2024.
Embalo expressed his intention to collaborate with political parties regarding the forthcoming elections before issuing an official presidential decree. The postponement of parliamentary elections has caused instability within Guinea-Bissau’s electoral framework, which was originally scheduled for 2024, due to technical and financial challenges.
As a former army general, President Embalo inherited a nation fraught with a history of political turmoil including coups since achieving independence from Portugal in 1974. He revealed that there have been two attempted coups against him during his presidency, the most recent occurring in December 2023. Last year, Embalo indicated that his decision not to seek re-election was influenced by his wife’s advice.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo will pursue re-election despite prior assurances to step down. With tensions escalating surrounding the interpretation of his current term’s end and concerns about delayed elections, Embalo faces significant opposition challenges. His previous administration’s promises now appear complicated by postponed electoral schedules, reflecting the ongoing political instability in Guinea-Bissau.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
