Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo to Seek Second Term Amid Crisis
Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has declared his candidacy for a second term, despite considerable political unrest and opposition claims that his presidency is not legitimate. The ECOWAS delegation aimed to ease tensions but departed following threats from Embalo. His tenure is disputed, complicating the political landscape ahead of the elections set for November 30, 2023.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has announced his intention to seek a second term in the upcoming elections set for November. This declaration comes amid ongoing political strife, with opposition factions disputing his presidency and refusing to acknowledge him as the legitimate leader of the country. Concurrently, an ECOWAS delegation, which aimed to mediate the political unrest, departed following alleged threats made by Embalo.
Embalo, who previously disbanded the opposition-led parliament in late 2023, stated his candidacy at the Bissau airport after conducting diplomacy in several countries. “I will be a candidate for my own succession,” he asserted during his announcement. Although Guinea-Bissau’s constitution permits a five-year presidential term renewable once, the opposition contends that Embalo’s term is over, claiming that his presidency ended earlier this year.
Tensions are anticipated to escalate in this small West African nation, which has faced numerous coups since its independence over five decades ago. Embalo was elected on November 24, 2019, and sworn into office on February 27, 2020. However, the opposition’s contestation of the results led to a Supreme Court ruling that his term technically continued until September 4, 2023, further complicating his tenure.
Setting the election date for November 30, Embalo maintains that he has the right to remain in office until then, despite opposition demands for his recognition as president. Opposition leaders are poised to organize mass protests, contingent upon the efficacy of the recent ECOWAS intervention. Embalo has stated he survived two coup attempts in the last three years, with the most recent incident leading to the parliament’s dissolution over accusations of inaction.
In recent diplomatic efforts, Embalo met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, exploring potential economic and security collaborations. Russia’s rising influence as a security ally in Africa has begun to overshadow traditional partnerships with Western nations such as France and the United States.
In conclusion, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s announcement to run for a second term amidst a backdrop of political turmoil constitutes a significant development in Guinea-Bissau’s fragile political landscape. His actions and the responses from opposition groups are likely to heighten tensions within the country as the upcoming elections approach. The involvement of international entities, such as ECOWAS, and potential foreign partnerships further complicate the situation.
Original Source: www.mymotherlode.com
