Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Cissoko Embalo announced on Thursday that he will not seek a second term in the upcoming elections scheduled for November. Embalo, who took office in January 2020 after winning 54% of the vote against Domingos Simoes Pereira, stated that his wife influenced his decision not to run again.
This unexpected decision could lead to political uncertainty in the country, which has a history of coups and instability since its independence from Portugal in 1974. Embalo, a former army general and prime minister, has faced two coup attempts during his presidency, the latest occurring in December 2023. He dissolved parliament twice during his term, with legislative elections in May 2022 thwarting his plans for constitutional changes.
While he did not name his successor, Embalo hinted that opposition figures Domingos Simoes Pereira, Braima Camara, and Nuno Gomes Na Bian would not be taking his place.
