Guinea-Bissau Opposition Strikes Back Over Election Timing Dispute

Guinea-Bissau’s opposition plans to halt the nation on Thursday amid a dispute over President Embalo’s term limit. The Supreme Court states his mandate continues until September 4, while the opposition argues it ends on the scheduled date. Embalo has postponed elections until November 30, igniting concerns of unrest in the politically unstable nation.

The opposition in Guinea-Bissau has declared its intent to disrupt the country on Thursday as tensions mount over the expiration of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s term. Opponents argue that his mandate concludes on this date, contrasting with a Supreme Court ruling that states it continues until September 4. Embalo has announced that general elections will be postponed to November 30, exacerbating concerns over potential unrest in a nation plagued by a history of political instability.

The coalition leading the opposition, PAI Terra Ranka, along with Cabaz Garandi, issued a statement declaring that they would render the capital, Bissau, ungovernable on February 27. They emphasized that the city would effectively become “a dead city” due to their planned immobilization of activities. This showdown stems from the indefinite postponement of parliamentary elections, which the government attributes to financial and technical issues, further complicating the electoral timeline.

President Embalo, a former army general, has grappled with prolonged political deadlock since assuming office. He indicated that there have been two attempts to oust him during his presidency, with the latest incident occurring in December 2023 amidst violence and unrest. Following this altercation, Embalo dissolved the opposition-held parliament, citing ineffectiveness on their part.

In attempts to mitigate the escalating situation, the ECOWAS regional bloc has announced plans to deploy a mission to Guinea-Bissau. However, the opposition has rejected the opportunity to engage with ECOWAS representatives, asserting accusations of partiality towards the current administration. Embalo recently held discussions in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin, addressing international relations while navigating domestic political tensions.

In summary, Guinea-Bissau is facing heightened political tensions as the opposition threatens to paralyze the country following conflicting interpretations of President Embalo’s term expiration. The impending delay of elections and dissolved parliament only serve to escalate an already volatile situation. With international oversight from ECOWAS being rebuffed by the opposition, the potential for civil unrest looms large in the nation.

Original Source: www.usnews.com