Guinea-Bissau President Embalo to Seek Second Term Amid Political Tensions
Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, announced he will run for a second term in November, contradicting earlier promises to step down. This has raised tensions regarding his current term’s end and delayed elections. The Supreme Court has ruled his term ends September 4, while the opposition argues it expired in February.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, announced his candidacy for a second term in presidential elections scheduled for November. This decision marks a reversal from earlier commitments to step down, raising concerns regarding the timeline of his current term and delayed elections. Embalo made his announcement upon returning from a diplomatic tour in Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, declaring, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.”
There exists tension between President Embalo and the political opposition regarding the end date of his current five-year term, which began in 2020. The opposition contends that his term expired in February, while the Supreme Court has ruled that it concludes on September 4. Discontent has also arisen following Embalo’s assertion that presidential and legislative elections will not occur until November 30 of this year, altering the initial 2024 schedule due to technical and financial hurdles.
Embalo expressed, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree.” The 52-year-old former army general must navigate a complex political landscape characterized by coups and unrest since Guinea-Bissau’s independence in 1974. He has cited two attempted coup d’états against his administration, the most recent occurring in December 2023. Though he previously indicated that his wife had advised him against pursuing a second term, his current stance reflects a significant shift in his political intentions.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s decision to seek a second term in Guinea-Bissau marks a notable departure from his prior pledge to relinquish power. His candidacy could exacerbate existing political tensions, especially regarding the disputed timeline for elections and the conclusion of his current term. With a history of political instability, Embalo’s leadership will continue to be closely scrutinized by both domestic and international observers.
Original Source: www.marketscreener.com
