Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Embalo Announces He Will Not Seek Second Term, Raising Concerns Over Political Instability
In a surprising move, Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Cissoko Embalo declared on Thursday that he would not seek a second term in the country’s November elections. Embalo, 51, was elected in January 2020, securing 54% of the vote against his main opponent Domingos Simoes Pereira. His decision not to run again could potentially create a power vacuum and exacerbate political instability in the coup-prone West African nation of approximately two million people.
Speaking at a council of ministers meeting, Embalo revealed that his decision was influenced by his wife, who advised him not to pursue re-election. He also stated that his successor would not be Pereira, nor opposition figures Braima Camara or Nuno Gomes Na Bian, but did not provide further details on who would take his place.
Embalo, a former army general and prime minister under his predecessor José Mário Vaz, took office during a period of political deadlock in Guinea-Bissau, which has experienced frequent coups and unrest since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. His presidency saw two alleged coup attempts, the most recent occurring in December 2023. In response, Embalo dissolved parliament twice during his term, with the most recent dissolution following the failed coup.
During his presidency, Embalo faced challenges in pushing through constitutional reforms aimed at consolidating power by altering the country’s semi-presidential system. Under the current structure, the majority party or coalition appoints the government, though the president retains the power to dismiss it, often leading to political deadlock.
Guinea-Bissau’s history of instability is further complicated by its role as a major hub for international drug trafficking, with police recently seizing 2.63 tons of cocaine from a plane arriving from Venezuela.
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