Mariama Hamani
In Bissau, the guessing game is over. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has formally declared that he will seek a second term in the upcoming presidential election. After months of ambiguity — and repeated hints that he might step aside — the head of state finally bowed to pressure from his supporters and the leaders of his political coalition. The move reshapes the country’s political landscape just as Guinea-Bissau edges toward a defining electoral period.
A presidency defined by reforms and recurring crises
Embaló, who took office in early 2020 following a disputed election at the end of 2019, points to a record built on raising Guinea-Bissau’s diplomatic profile and modernising its infrastructure. During his tenure, he chaired the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government, restoring a degree of international visibility to Bissau.
Yet his five years in power have also been marked by persistent internal instability:
- Repeated dissolution of parliament: The president dissolved the National People’s Assembly twice — in 2022 and again in late 2023 — citing attempts at destabilisation and institutional crises.
- Clashes with the opposition: The opposition coalition, led by the PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde), has consistently accused the government of authoritarian drift and restrictions on public freedoms.
- Securing the regime: The authorities have had to contend with several episodes of military tension and alleged coup attempts in the capital.
What is at stake in the coming months
By making his candidacy official, Embaló has fired the starting gun on the electoral battle. The central question now is whether the vote can be organised credibly — and whether the opposition will take part. Regional observers and international partners are watching closely, with the priority remaining an inclusive, transparent and peaceful process that can protect the country’s still-fragile stability.
For ordinary Bissau-Guineans, the stakes go beyond political manoeuvring. The coming election will test whether the nation can break its long cycle of institutional disruption or whether the second-term bid will deepen the divisions that have defined the past five years.
