Guinea-Bissau President Embalo Seeks Reelection, Retracts…

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo will run for a second term, contradicting his previous commitment to step down. The announcement raises questions over term limits and the timing of elections, which have faced delays. Embalo aims to discuss these issues with political parties before proceeding with a presidential decree.

Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced on Monday that he will run for re-election this coming November. This decision marks a significant change from his previous promise to step down, which could spike tensions as questions loom about the validity of his current term and delayed elections. After a trip to various countries including Russia and Hungary, he made the declaration, stating, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.”

Embalo’s relationship with the political opposition has been tense, particularly concerning the end date of his current five-year term, which started in 2020. The opposition argues that his term concluded at the end of February. However, the Supreme Court of Justice contends it officially ends on September 4. This adds layers of complexity to an already fraught political environment.

There’s also been discontent among citizens and political factions after Embalo announced that presidential and legislative elections would be postponed until November 30 of this year. These elections were originally set for November 2024, but have been delayed indefinitely due to claims of financial and technical hurdles, messing up the electoral timeline entirely.

Embalo stated, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree.” This follows his tenure as a military general, during which he tried to navigate the ongoing political instability that has troubled Guinea-Bissau since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.

The President has claimed to have faced two assassination attempts since taking office, with the most recent occurring in December 2023. Intriguingly, last year he revealed that his wife had convinced him not to seek a second term, which makes his current announcement even more impactful as it raises questions about his political strategies going forward.

In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s reversal on his promise not to seek a second term has stirred political unease in Guinea-Bissau. Ongoing disputes about the electoral timeline and the legitimacy of his current presidential term create a backdrop of instability. His approach seems to prioritize accommodating political parties while handling the unprecedented challenges that lie ahead.

Original Source: www.usnews.com