President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has announced his candidacy for re-election amidst political turmoil. There are claims from opposition that his term expired recently, leading to strikes that were suppressed by security forces. Following a history of coups and instability, Embalo postponed legislative elections, which are now scheduled for November 30, 2024.
On Monday, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau announced his intention to run for re-election, following delays in the electoral process 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 stated as he returned from a state visit to Russia.
Embalo, who was inaugurated on February 27, 2020, after a disputed election, is currently facing opposition allegations that his presidential term expired last Thursday. In response to these claims, opposition groups organized a strike; however, the impact was muted due to the presence of security forces in Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau, a nation that gained independence from Portugal in 1974, has faced ongoing political instability, including several coup attempts. In December 2023, President Embalo dissolved the parliament, which was controlled by the opposition, after confrontations described as an attempted coup. He initially set early legislative elections for November 2024 but later postponed them indefinitely by presidential decree, with the new date for the elections now confirmed as November 30, 2024.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has formally declared his candidacy for re-election amidst existing political tensions and allegations regarding his term. His leadership has been marked by significant instability, leading to the postponement of elections. The upcoming electoral process on November 30, 2024, will be pivotal in determining the country’s political future.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
