The presidential campaign in Guinea-Bissau is now underway, but it begins under a cloud of deep controversy. The defining factor of the campaign is the unprecedented exclusion of the nation’s largest opposition party.
Voters, numbering approximately 860,000, are set to cast ballots on November 23 for a new president and 102 parliamentary members. Twelve candidates are running for president, with current leader Umaro Sissoco Embaló maintaining his status as the frontrunner.
Supreme Court Bars Opposition Powerhouse
In a historic move, the coalition led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) has been completely barred from participating. This exclusion affects both the legislative and presidential contests.
The Supreme Court determined that the PAIGC and its key presidential nominee, Domingos Simões Pereira, submitted their necessary paperwork after the filing deadline had passed. Pereira, a former prime minister, stands as President Embaló’s most significant political challenger.
The PAIGC won the previous legislative election in 2023. This marks the first time since the nation achieved independence from Portugal in 1974 that the powerhouse PAIGC will not appear on a general election ballot.
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Coup Attempt Shakes Stability Ahead of Polls
The upcoming election carries immense weight for the country’s fragile political stability. Just last week, the political environment was severely disrupted when several senior military officers were arrested.
They face accusations of attempting to stage a coup. The army confirmed it had successfully foiled an effort “to subvert the constitutional order.”
The general staff of the armed forces addressed the nation, stating that this “sad episode,” involving high-ranking military officials, “jeopardizes the peace and stability” needed for economic development and foreign investment.
Guinea-Bissau has long struggled with political volatility, having endured four successful coups and seventeen attempted coups since 1974.
