Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo Announces Second Term Candidacy
Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has declared his intention to seek a second term in November, reversing previous commitments to step down. This announcement may lead to increased political tensions concerning the duration of his current term and ongoing delays in electoral schedules, as the opposition disputes the timeline of his presidency.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau announced on Monday his candidacy for a second term set for November. This decision marks a reversal from his prior commitment to step down, which may exacerbate existing political tensions regarding the conclusion of his current term and deferred elections. His announcement followed official visits to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, culminating in his declaration at the airport: “I will be a candidate in my own succession.”
The president’s relations with the political opposition have been strained, particularly concerning the timing of his five-year term, which commenced in 2020. Opposition leaders contend that his term expired at the end of February, whereas the Supreme Court of Justice determined it concludes on September 4. Furthermore, dissatisfaction has arisen as Embalo postponed both presidential and legislative elections to November 30, attributing this delay to technical and financial challenges.
Initially set for November 2024, the parliamentary elections now face indefinite postponement, prompting a reevaluation of the electoral timeline. President Embalo stated on Monday, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree.”
Aged 52 and a former army general, Embalo is heir to a long history of political instability in Guinea-Bissau, a nation that has experienced numerous coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. He revealed that there were two attempts on his life during his tenure, the most recent occurring in December 2023.
Despite previously indicating he would not seek a second term due to his wife’s counsel, Embalo’s latest announcement signals a shift in his political strategy.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s decision to run for a second term indicates a significant pivot in his political intentions, likely intensifying existing disputes over electoral timelines and the legitimacy of his current term. As Guinea-Bissau grapples with a history of political upheaval, his action could have profound implications for the country’s stability moving forward.
Original Source: www.thestar.com.my
