Ousted Guinea-Bissau Leader Embalo to Contest Election

Guinea-Bissau’s former president Umaro Sissoco Embalo says he will contest the country’s December 6 presidential election, despite remaining in exile after he was removed from office in a military coup last November.

Speaking to AFP on Monday, Embalo said that he “will be a candidate in the presidential election”,which is meant to restore civilian rule in the coup-prone west African nation.

He also said he planned to return to Guinea-Bissau but did not give a date for his arrival.

The army seized power days after the country held its presidential election in November last year, overthrowing Embalo and suspending the electoral process.

At the time, some observers alleged that Embalo had orchestrated the coup to halt an election process he appeared to be losing.

The junta, led by General Horta N’Tam, who is described as an associate of Embalo, has set December 6 for presidential and legislative elections.

Asked about Embalo’s possible return, N’Tam said any Guinean who had nothing to be ashamed of was free to return to the country, including those who had criticised him on social media.

Activists have also announced plans on social media to receive Embalo upon his expected return.

Political analyst Malam Cisse told AFP that there was no legal barrier preventing Embalo from returning, arguing that he was removed through a coup and had not signed any document renouncing his presidency.

“Legally, nothing stands in the way of Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s return to Guinea-Bissau. He was ousted from power by a coup d’etat”, Cisse said. 

Guinea-Bissau has experienced five coups and several attempted takeovers since gaining independence in 1974.

The country has also struggled with widespread poverty and political instability, conditions that have contributed to corruption and drug trafficking.