Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo Announces Second Term Candidacy
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau will run for a second term in November, reversing his previous vow to step down. The opposition contests the end date of his current term, while elections have been delayed to November 30, citing various complications. Embalo’s tenure has seen attempts at his overthrow, and discussions about election logistics are forthcoming.
BISSAU (Reuters) – President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau announced on Monday his intention to seek a second presidential term in the upcoming November elections. This decision marks a reversal from his previous commitment to step down, potentially heightening political tensions concerning the expiration of his current term and the rescheduling of the nation’s elections.
Following visits to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, President Embalo declared, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.” His term, which commenced in 2020, is contentious, with opposition parties claiming that it ended in February, while the Supreme Court has ruled it will conclude on September 4.
Embalo has faced criticism for delaying the presidential and legislative elections until November 30, citing technical and financial difficulties that also resulted in the indefinite postponement of parliamentary elections originally planned for November 2024. He remarked, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree.”
As a former army general, the 52-year-old Embalo has inherited a challenging political landscape marked by frequent coups since Guinea-Bissau’s independence in 1974. He has claimed that there have been two attempts to depose him during his presidency, the most recent occurring in December 2023. Last year, he noted that his wife had advised against his pursuit of a second term.
In conclusion, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s announcement of his candidacy for a second term signifies a significant shift from his earlier position of stepping down, which may exacerbate existing political tensions in Guinea-Bissau. As the nation approaches scheduled elections amid postponed timelines and conflict regarding the term’s duration, political dialogue will be essential for stability. The situation highlights the complexities of governance in a nation with a history of political instability and coups.
Original Source: www.thestar.com.my
