Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo will seek re-election in the rescheduled elections set for November. He expressed confidence in winning outright in the first round. Embalo, who began his presidency in February 2020, faces opposition challenges regarding the legitimacy of his term, contributing to ongoing political instability in the country.
On Monday, Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced his intention to pursue re-election in the upcoming elections, which have been rescheduled 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,” Embalo remarked to an AFP correspondent upon returning from a state visit to Russia.
Embalo, who commenced a five-year term on February 27, 2020, after a contentious election, faces opposition assertions regarding the expiration of his term last Thursday. These allegations sparked a strike led by opposition groups; however, the effects were mitigated by the presence of security forces in Bissau.
The nation, a former Portuguese colony with a population of approximately two million, has historically endured political instability, characterized by numerous coups since its independence in 1974. In December 2023, President Embalo dissolved the opposition-majority parliament following armed confrontations he termed an attempted coup. He initially planned early legislative elections for November 2024 but subsequently postponed them indefinitely via a presidential decree, with the elections now slated for November 30.
In conclusion, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s declaration of his candidacy for a second term amidst logistical challenges underscores the ongoing political tensions in Guinea-Bissau. The country’s history of instability and the recent dissolution of parliament reflect the fragile political landscape. The upcoming elections on November 30 will be pivotal for the future governance of Guinea-Bissau.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
