Guinea-Bissau’s President Embalo Announces Re-Election Bid Amid Turmoil
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau announced his candidacy for re-election, with polls now set for November 30, following a postponement. Despite claims from opposition about his term ending, he asserts confidence in victory. Political instability remains a concern as previously scheduled elections faced indefinite delays after conflict escalated.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, announced his intention to run for re-election in elections rescheduled for November 30, citing logistical and financial issues as the reasons for the delay. Upon returning from a state visit to Russia, he confidently stated, “I will be a candidate, without a doubt, and I am going to win right from the first round.”
Embalo, who began his five-year term on February 27, 2020, amid a contentious electoral process, is currently facing opposition claims that his term expired last week. This contention resulted in a strike organized by dissenting groups; however, the presence of security forces in the capital, Bissau, significantly curtailed its effectiveness.
Guinea-Bissau continues to grapple with a legacy of political instability, having experienced multiple coups since its independence in 1974 from Portugal. In December 2023, Embalo dissolved the parliament controlled by opposition parties after violent clashes that he characterized as an attempted coup, further escalating tensions in the nation. Though he initially set early legislative elections for November 2024, these have now been indefinitely postponed via presidential decree.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s bid for re-election comes amidst ongoing political turmoil and claims from opposition groups regarding the expiration of his term. His administration has faced challenges such as armed conflict and parliamentary dissolution, which underscore the precarious political landscape of Guinea-Bissau. The upcoming elections will be crucial in determining the nation’s stability moving forward.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
