Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo Announces Second Term Candidacy

Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has reversed his pledge to step down and announced his candidacy for a second term in the upcoming November elections. This decision has raised tensions regarding the end of his current term and postponed elections, originally set for 2024, which have been pushed back to November 30 due to various issues.

On Monday, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau announced his candidacy for a second term in the upcoming elections scheduled for November. This decision marks a reversal from his previous commitments to step down, raising concerns about potential tensions regarding the conclusion of his current term and the scheduling of elections.

Following visits to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, President Embalo stated at the airport, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.” The president is currently at odds with the opposition concerning the end date of his five-year term that commenced in 2020. The opposition claims his term expired at the end of February, while the country’s Supreme Court asserts it will conclude on September 4.

President Embalo’s announcement has sparked dissatisfaction as he indicated that both presidential and legislative elections would be delayed until November 30. Originally set for November 2024, the parliamentary elections have been postponed indefinitely due to alleged technical and financial hurdles that have disrupted the electoral timeline.

In addressing the current political situation, President Embalo remarked, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree.” A former army general, President Embalo has been managing a long-standing political stalemate in Guinea-Bissau, characterized by frequent coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. He reported experiencing two attempted coup d’états during his presidency, the most recent occurring in December 2023.

Interestingly, the president had conveyed last year that his spouse had advised against his seeking a second term. This raises questions about his leadership intentions amidst the volatile political landscape of Guinea-Bissau.

In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s decision to seek a second term ignites potential political tensions in Guinea-Bissau. His conflicting statements regarding the end of his current term and the postponement of elections further complicate the situation. The political landscape remains precarious as the nation approaches its scheduled elections, with the president emphasizing dialogue with political parties before proceeding.

Original Source: www.marketscreener.com