Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo Announces Bid for Re-election
Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced his intention to run for a second term, which contradicts his previous commitment to step down. Disputes regarding the end date of his current term and postponed elections are generating political tensions. Embalo plans to engage with political parties before issuing an election decree.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the President of Guinea-Bissau, has announced his candidacy for a second term in the upcoming elections scheduled for November. This decision marks a departure from his earlier commitment to step down, raising concerns about potential political tensions regarding the validity of his current term and the scheduled elections.
Embalo recently returned from visits to Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary, where he confirmed his candidacy. He has faced disputes with the political opposition regarding the end date of his current five-year term, initiated in 2020. The opposition claims that his term concluded at the end of February, while the Supreme Court of Justice determined that it ends on September 4.
Further complications arose when Embalo announced that the presidential and legislative elections have been postponed to November 30, 2023, after initially being set for November 2024. This postponement has led to dissatisfaction among various political factions, who are concerned about the stability of the electoral process.
In his statement, Embalo emphasized his intention to engage in discussions with political parties regarding the forthcoming elections before issuing an official presidential decree. As a former army general who has navigated a politically unstable environment, he has experienced multiple coup attempts during his presidency, highlighting the challenges he faces in securing his political future.
Last year, he indicated that he had considered not running for re-election at the behest of his wife. This change of heart regarding his candidacy could intensify existing political frictions as Guinea-Bissau approaches a crucial electoral period.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has withdrawn his earlier plans to step down and confirmed his intention to seek a second term in November 2023. This reversal of his previous commitment complicates the political landscape in Guinea-Bissau, as disputes regarding the term limits and election timelines persist. The political opposition’s concerns and the postponement of elections may further influence the future stability of the nation.
Original Source: www.marketscreener.com
