Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo Announces Second Term Run Amid Political Crisis

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has announced plans to run for a second presidential term amid political tensions and opposition disputes. The news follows a failed mediation attempt by ECOWAS amid threats of expulsion from the president. Embalo maintains that he will remain in office until the election date set for November 30, despite opposition claims regarding the end of his first term.

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has announced his intention to seek a second term in the upcoming November election amid ongoing political unrest. His announcement comes as tensions rise with an opposition that refuses to acknowledge his presidency. The situation has been further complicated by the departure of an ECOWAS delegation, which faced threats of expulsion while trying to mediate the political crisis.

During a press conference at the airport in the capital Bissau, following his recent travels to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, Embalo stated, “I will be a candidate for my own succession.” According to Guinea-Bissau’s constitution, a president may serve for five years with a possibility of one renewal. However, the opposition contends that the president’s first term has effectively concluded, calling into question the legitimacy of his candidacy.

The announcement has the potential to exacerbate the existing political tension in the small West African nation, which has a history of political instability and coups. Although Embalo won the election on November 24, 2019 and took office on February 27, 2020, the opposition has maintained that his term should have ended on that date, citing Supreme Court rulings as the basis for their claims.

Embalo has set the election date for November 30, asserting that he will remain in office until then, despite the opposition’s refusal to recognize him as president. Resistance from opposition leaders is intensifying, with plans for mass protests and strikes being contemplated if the ECOWAS intervention fails to yield results.

In addition to navigating domestic politics, Embalo has survived two coup attempts during his presidency, with the latest occurring in December 2023. After this incident, which involved a violent confrontation between security forces, he dissolved the parliament, accusing its members of inactivity. Furthermore, he recently discussed potential economic and security partnerships with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid changing international alliances in Africa.

In conclusion, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has declared his candidacy for a second presidential term against a backdrop of significant political turmoil and opposition disregard for his leadership. The situation is complicated by the departure of ECOWAS representatives and the planned protests from the opposition. With a history of political instability, the developments leading up to the election on November 30, 2024, will be critical in shaping the nation’s future.

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