President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau announced his bid for re-election, with elections postponed until November due to logistical issues. He faces opposition claims regarding the expiration of his term, which led to limited strikes in Bissau. The new election date is now slated for November 30, 2024.

Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced his intention to run for re-election, targeting a second term in elections that have been postponed to November due to logistical and financial difficulties. Following a state visit to Russia, Embalo expressed confidence, stating, “I will be a candidate, without a doubt, and I am going to win right from the first round.”
Following his controversial election, Embalo took office on February 27, 2020, and now faces opposition claims that his presidential term expired last Thursday. This controversy sparked a strike by opposition factions, although the security forces limited its effectiveness in the capital, Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau, once a Portuguese colony with a population of approximately two million, has experienced persistent political instability characterized by multiple coups since its independence in 1974. Recently, in December 2023, Embalo dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament during armed clashes he termed an attempted coup.
Initially, he scheduled new legislative elections for November 2024, but later postponed them indefinitely through a presidential decree. The new election date is now set for November 30, 2024.

In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has declared his candidacy for re-election amidst ongoing political challenges and recent opposition claims regarding his term. The elections, originally scheduled for November 2024, have been postponed to November 30 of the same year. The current political landscape remains tense, reflecting the historical instability of the region.

Original Source: newscentral.africa