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Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced on Friday that he will run as an independent candidate in the country’s upcoming presidential elections in November.
The declaration, made during the inauguration of his new prime minister, makes his candidacy official, despite his previous commitment to serve only one term.
Embalo, who was first elected in December 2019, has faced months of political turmoil and accusations of clinging to power after he postponed the election date.
During his announcement, he stated that he would not be the candidate of any political party, including his own Madem G15 party, because he does not “want to be anyone’s hostage.”
Credit: AFP
He also welcomed support from any parties, organisations, or groups.
The announcement came a day after Embalo fired the previous prime minister, Rui Duarte Barros of the opposition PAIGC party, and replaced him with Braima Camara, a member of his party.
Embalo will campaign under a newly created “Move Forward Together” movement.
Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups since gaining independence in 1974.
Although the country has made some progress toward the rule of law since 2014, periods of unrest have continued, including during Embalo’s presidency.
