Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of Guinea-Bissau, has reversed his earlier decision to step down and announced his candidacy for a second term in elections set for November. Disputes over the duration of his current term and postponed elections are fueling political tensions in the nation. Elections scheduled for November 2024 have been delayed indefinitely, with Embalo indicating plans to consult political parties before issuing a presidential decree.
On Monday, Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo declared his intention to run for a second term in the presidential elections scheduled for November, reversing his previous commitment to step down. His announcement follows a visit to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, where he stated, “I will be a candidate in my own succession.” This development raises potential tensions regarding the expiration of his current term and the timing of postponed elections.
Embalo is currently facing a political dispute with the opposition regarding the conclusion of his five-year term, initiated in 2020. According to the opposition, his term concluded at the end of February, while the Supreme Court of Justice has determined that it extends until September 4. Furthermore, his assertion that presidential and legislative elections will not occur until November 30 has resulted in dissatisfaction among various factions.
Initially planned for November 2024, the parliamentary elections have been indefinitely postponed due to purported technical and financial challenges, leading to disarray in the electoral timetable. The president remarked, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree” regarding the next steps in the electoral process.
As a 52-year-old former army general, Embalo has navigated a persistent political stalemate in Guinea-Bissau, a nation historically plagued by coups and unrest post-independence from Portugal in 1974. He has indicated there were two recent attempts to usurp his authority during his presidency, the latest allegedly occurring in December 2023. Last year, Embalo disclosed that his wife had influenced him not to seek a second term.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has announced his candidacy for a second term, contradicting his earlier pledges to step aside. This decision raises significant concerns regarding the political landscape, particularly in light of disputes surrounding the duration of his current term and the scheduling of delayed elections. With ongoing tensions between him and the opposition, the upcoming electoral process will be critical for the nation’s stability.
Original Source: www.marketscreener.com
