President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau Announces Re-Election Bid
Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced his bid for re-election, claiming confidence in winning. His term duration is disputed by opposition claims, leading to limited protests. The country, grappling with political instability, will now hold elections on November 30 following prior postponements.
On Monday, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau officially announced his intention to run for re-election, despite recent delays in the electoral process, which has been postponed to November due to logistical and financial issues. “I will be a candidate, without a doubt, and I am going to win right from the first round,” Mr. Embalo stated to an AFP correspondent upon returning from a diplomatic visit to Russia.
Embalo, who assumed the presidency on February 27, 2020, after a contentious election, is facing opposition claims that his term officially ended last Thursday. This assertion led to organized protests by opposition groups; however, the presence of security forces in Bissau significantly curtailed the demonstration’s effectiveness.
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony with a population nearing two million, has historically faced profound political instability, characterized by numerous coups since gaining independence in 1974. Notably, in December 2023, President Embalo dissolved the opposition-led parliament, condemning the subsequent violence as an attempted coup.
Initially, he had called for early legislative elections to be conducted in November 2024. However, following the recent turmoil, he opted to postpone this election indefinitely through a presidential decree, with the revised date for the elections now set for November 30, 2024.
In conclusion, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has declared his candidacy for re-election amidst political turmoil and opposition challenges. His recent statement on electoral prospects and past actions, including the dissolution of parliament, underline the ongoing instability in the nation. The upcoming elections, postponed to November 30, hold significant implications for Guinea-Bissau’s political landscape.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
