Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has declared his intention to run for a second term in November, contradicting his previous promise to step down. This reversal might heighten tensions over the duration of his presidency and scheduled elections, which have encountered significant delays due to various challenges.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, announced his candidacy for a second presidential term in November, reversing his earlier promise to step down. Following his recent travels to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, he declared, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.” This announcement may exacerbate existing tensions regarding the conclusion of his current term and delays in scheduled elections.
Embalo’s tenure has been challenged by conflicts with political opposition, with disputes focusing on the duration of his five-year term that commenced in 2020. The opposition claims that his term expired in late February, while the Supreme Court of Justice has designated September 4, 2025, as the official end date. This disagreement adds to the unrest surrounding the electoral process.
Further unrest was provoked by Embalo’s announcement of delayed presidential and legislative elections, now set for November 30, 2023, after previously being slated for November 2024. The postponements have been attributed to technical and financial hurdles, complicating an already volatile political climate. Embalo stated, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree.”
At 52 years old, Embalo, a former army general, has been navigating a political landscape marked by coups and unrest since Guinea-Bissau’s independence from Portugal in 1974. He has claimed two attempts to overthrow him during his presidency, with the most recent occurring in December 2023. Previously, he indicated that his wife had persuaded him against seeking re-election, highlighting the precarious nature of his leadership.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has reversed his decision to step down, announcing his candidacy for a second term in the upcoming elections. This decision has reignited tensions amidst disputes over the timing of his presidential term and postponed elections. His leadership has faced significant challenges amid allegations of political unrest and coup attempts since he took office.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
