Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced he would run for a second term in November, reversing his previous commitment to step down. This decision has sparked disputes regarding the end of his current term and the scheduling of elections postponed until November 30 due to various challenges. The political environment remains delicate as tensions rise between the opposition and the current administration.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, announced his intention to run for a second term in upcoming elections in November. This declaration comes as a reversal of his prior commitment to step down, which raises concerns about the timeline of his current term and the scheduling of elections. Following his recent trip to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, President Embalo remarked, “I will be a candidate in my own succession,” during a press conference at the airport.
President Embalo’s intentions have ignited a dispute with opposition factions regarding the conclusion of his current five-year term that commenced in 2020. The opposition contends that his term concluded at the end of February, while the nation’s Supreme Court has determined that it will terminate on September 4, 2025. There is also discontent stemming from the announcement regarding the postponed elections, originally set for 2024, now scheduled for November 30 due to technical and financial issues, resulting in a significant alteration of the electoral timeline.
Addressing the upcoming elections, President Embalo stated, “I will talk to the political parties first about the forthcoming elections, and then I will issue a presidential decree.” He emphasized the need for coordination with various political entities prior to finalizing election arrangements. Embalo, a former army general, has navigated a complex political landscape characterized by instability and coup attempts, claiming that he has survived two assassination attempts since assuming office.
In the previous year, President Embalo indicated that his family, particularly his wife, had persuaded him against pursuing a second term. His decision to run again has triggered apprehensions regarding potential unrest in a country plagued by historical political turmoil since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The political climate remains tense, as the nation anticipates the implications of the upcoming elections and the president’s unanticipated candidacy for re-election.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s announcement to seek a second presidential term defies his earlier pledges to resign. His declaration has intensified political friction as disagreements persist regarding the duration of his current term and the scheduling of overdue elections. As Guinea-Bissau stands at a political crossroads, the situation calls for careful navigation to maintain stability in a history marked by coups and unrest.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
