President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau declared his candidacy for a second term in the upcoming elections, now postponed to November 30 due to logistical and financial issues. His term, which began in February 2020 following a disputed election, is challenged by opposition claims alleging its expiration. Guinea-Bissau’s political history includes ongoing instability and recent conflicts.
Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced on Monday his intention to pursue a second term in office amidst preparations for elections postponed due to logistical and financial constraints. Embalo expressed confidence in his candidacy, stating, “I will be a candidate, without a doubt, and I am going to win right from the first round,” as he returned from a diplomatic trip to Russia.
Having been inaugurated for a five-year term on February 27, 2020, following a controversial electoral process, President Embalo currently confronts opposition assertions claiming that his term had expired as of last Thursday. These claims incited a strike organized by opposition factions, which security forces effectively curtailed in Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony housing approximately two million residents, has endured prolonged periods of political instability marked by numerous coups since gaining independence in 1974. In December 2023, the President dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament in response to what he characterized as an attempted coup following armed confrontations.
Initially, Embalo had called for early legislative elections to take place in November 2024; however, he subsequently postponed them indefinitely through a presidential decree. The elections are now slated for November 30, 2024, marking a critical juncture in the nation’s ongoing political landscape.
In conclusion, Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s announcement of his candidacy for re-election reflects both his confidence and the prevailing political instability in Guinea-Bissau. His tenure, marked by controversy and challenges, highlights significant tensions with the opposition and the broader context of the country’s history of coups. The upcoming elections scheduled for November 30 will be pivotal for the nation’s future governance.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
