Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of Guinea-Bissau, declared his candidacy for re-election, with elections now postponed to November 30, 2024. He faces opposition claims regarding the expiration of his term and has dealt with significant political unrest in the country. Embalo dissolved parliament following a coup attempt in December 2023, further complicating the political landscape.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau announced on Monday his intention to run for re-election amid postponed elections now scheduled for November 30, 2024, due to logistical and financial issues. Embalo asserted his confidence, stating, “I will be a candidate, without a doubt, and I am going to win right from the first round,” after returning from a state visit to Russia.
Embalo began his five-year term on February 27, 2020, following a contentious electoral process, but he faces claims from opposition factions asserting that his term expired last Thursday. These claims led to a strike by opposition groups, which was quelled by security forces in Bissau.
Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced significant political unrest, characterized by multiple coups. In December 2023, Embalo dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament after an armed confrontation, which he termed an attempted coup. Following this incident, he postponed the early legislative elections, originally slated for November 2024, by presidential decree.
In summary, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is seeking re-election in Guinea-Bissau, with elections now set for November 30, 2024. His tenure has been marked by political turbulence and opposition controversies regarding the validity of his term. The backdrop of political instability continues to challenge the governance of this nation as it approaches upcoming elections.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
