Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has announced his intention to seek a second term in the upcoming elections scheduled for November, amidst ongoing tensions with an opposition that does not acknowledge his presidency.
A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which was dispatched to Guinea-Bissau to help mediate the political crisis, departed on Monday after reportedly facing threats of expulsion from Embalo.
Following a trip to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, Embalo made his candidacy known to reporters at the airport in the capital, Bissau, stating, “I will be a candidate for my own succession.” He previously dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament in late 2023.
According to Guinea-Bissau’s constitution, the presidential term is set at five years, with one renewal permitted, allowing Embalo to run for a second term. However, the circumstances surrounding his first term are contentious, with the opposition claiming it has already concluded.
Embalo’s declaration could heighten tensions in the small West African nation, which has experienced numerous coups since its independence from Portugal over five decades ago.
Embalo was elected on November 24, 2019, and officially took office on February 27, 2020. However, the opposition challenged the election results, and the Supreme Court did not validate his victory until September 4.
The opposition contends that Embalo’s term should have ended on February 27 of this year, while the Supreme Court has ruled it extends until September 4. Embalo has scheduled the election for November 30 and asserts that he will remain in office until that date, but the opposition has refused to recognize him as president since last week. Opposition leaders have indicated plans for mass protests and strikes, pending the outcome of the ECOWAS mission.
Embalo claims to have withstood two coup attempts over the past three years. Following the latest attempt in December 2023, which featured a confrontation between the national guard and the presidential guard, he disbanded the parliament controlled by the opposition, citing its inaction.
Recently, Embalo held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding possible economic and security collaborations, as Russia has increasingly become the preferred security ally for numerous African nations, replacing traditional partners like France and the United States.
