Umaro Sissoco Embaló refuses to resign despite his presidential term ending on February 28, 2025. Domingos Simoes Pereira demands new elections and reinstatement of the dissolved assembly. Protests are anticipated amid a tense situation, as Embaló challenges opposition efforts and maintains power through special laws.
As of February 28, 2025, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s five-year term in Guinea-Bissau has officially concluded, yet he has refused to step down. Domingos Simoes Pereira, the leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), has called for Embaló’s immediate resignation without delay. Pereira is spearheading a coalition of parties that won the 2023 parliamentary elections decisively but has faced resistance from Embaló in forming a government.
The parliamentary term has also ended, prompting Pereira to demand new presidential and legislative elections within 90 days, contrary to Embaló’s declaration of November 30 as the next election date. Pereira emphasized that the constitution mandates this. The assembly that Embaló dissolved in 2023 must be reinstated urgently, as it is responsible for choosing the electoral commission and appointing the chief justice, whose term has expired. Various parties, legal experts, and civil society representatives share this perspective.
Nuno Nabiam, a former prime minister and leader of the second-largest opposition party, the API, stated to DW that protests are inevitable until law and order are restored. He asserted, “Protests are necessary. The country must be stabilized until the rule of law is reinstated.” Expatriates from Guinea-Bissau also held demonstrations abroad, advocating for respect for the constitution and Embaló’s resignation. Protesters in Lisbon, Portugal, believe that with Embaló’s term concluded, he should step down gracefully to facilitate democratic progress.
Since assuming leadership, Embaló has employed special laws for over a year and appears determined to undermine Pereira, accusing him of corruption and pledging not to appoint him as prime minister. Pedro Jandim, a representative of the PAIGC in Germany, commented on the situation: “We have a president who is indifferent to the issues facing his citizens. Schools and hospitals are non-functional, and there is no infrastructure in Guinea-Bissau.”
Currently, Embaló aims to maintain his presidency for a longer period while stifling other political parties, relying solely on his appointed allies to govern. Embaló, a former military general, previously served as Guinea-Bissau’s prime minister from 2016 until 2018 and was originally part of the PAIGC before aligning with the MADEM G15 party.
However, Embaló has disparaged the opposition, suggesting they lack understanding. Furthermore, he has openly engaged with prominent figures, such as meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Interior Minister Botche Candé, a key ally of Embaló, threatened that the government would not tolerate protests, asserting that security forces would suppress any attempts to incite unrest in the country.
The situation in Guinea-Bissau remains tense, with military presence on the streets causing public anxiety about potential developments. A diplomatic mission from ECOWAS, led by Nigerian Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, visited Bissau but retreated after Embaló threatened to expel them ahead of his trip to Russia. Bubacar Ture, head of a coalition advocating for human rights in Guinea-Bissau, expressed skepticism about ECOWAS’s capacity to effectively resolve the ongoing crisis.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau faces pressure to resign following the expiration of his term while persistent calls for new elections emerge from the opposition coalition. The potential for protests looms amidst a tense atmosphere, as Embaló continues to resist relinquishing power. The actions and sentiments of various political and civil entities highlight the urgent need for adherence to constitutional norms and restoration of democracy in the nation.
Original Source: www.dw.com
