Guinea-Bissau’s opposition plans a strike on February 27, contesting President Embalo’s term duration. They argue his mandate ends that day, conflicting with a Supreme Court ruling. Embalo has postponed elections until November 30, igniting tensions in a country with a history of coups. ECOWAS aims to address these issues but faces opposition resistance.
Guinea-Bissau’s opposition announced plans for a nationwide protest on February 27, amid a disagreement regarding the expiration of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s term. While opposition leaders claim Embalo’s mandate ends on this date, the Supreme Court has determined that it lasts until September 4. Moreover, Embalo has announced that elections will not occur until November 30, exacerbating tensions in a country deeply affected by military upheavals.
The PAI Terra Ranka coalition, led by the former ruling PAIGC party, also threatened to disrupt daily life in Bissau, stating, “We are going to paralyse the country completely on February 27 … Bissau will be a dead city.” In addition, the government postponed parliamentary elections initially slated for November 2024, citing financial and technical issues, which further complicates the political timeline.
Embalo, a former army general, has faced persistent political instability since assuming power, with two alleged assassination attempts reported during his tenure, the most recent occurring in December 2023. Following this attempt, he dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament, accusing it of inaction.
Currently, Embalo is participating in diplomatic discussions in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, revealing that his wife advised him against pursuing re-election. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has expressed intentions to intervene in Guinea-Bissau to mediate the electoral dispute, but the opposition has declined meetings, labeling the bloc’s efforts as biased.
The political climate in Guinea-Bissau remains volatile with the opposition’s threat to disrupt the country amid disputes over presidential term limits and election scheduling. Dysfunction within the government and postponed elections highlight the ongoing challenges in establishing reliable governance, compounded by historical patterns of unrest and military coups. The outcome of ECOWAS’s intervention remains to be seen, as communication with opposition leaders has been strained.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
