President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau plans to run for a second term in November, reversing his earlier promise to step down. This decision has sparked tensions regarding the end date of his current term and the recently postponed elections, with disputes ongoing between the government and opposition over the electoral timeline and legitimacy.
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced on Monday his intention to seek re-election in November, contradicting his previous commitment to step down. This decision raises concerns regarding the timeline of his current term, which began in 2020, amid ongoing tensions with the opposition over the validity of his tenure. The opposition claims his term expired in February, whereas the Supreme Court of Justice asserts it concludes on September 4.
After a recent trip to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, Embalo remarked, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.” His statements coincide with growing frustration over the delay in presidential and legislative elections, now slated for November 30, due to purported technical and financial difficulties.
Initially set for November 2024, the parliamentary elections have been postponed indefinitely, prompting disarray in the electoral timeline. Embalo stated, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree.”
At 52, Embalo has inherited a politically unstable environment in Guinea-Bissau, marred by a history of coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. He has faced alleged assassination attempts during his presidency, the latest occurring in December 2023. Notably, he previously indicated that his decision to run was influenced by his wife, who advised against seeking a second term.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s announcement to run for a second term contradicts his earlier pledge to step down, stirring political tensions regarding his current term’s expiration and the delayed elections. The opposition’s conflict over when his term ends and the indefinite postponement of parliamentary elections further complicate the political landscape in Guinea-Bissau.
Original Source: www.marketscreener.com
