Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is eyeing re-election this year, despite claims his mandate has expired and questions surrounding his legitimacy. If he remains in office until the November elections, he will be only the second leader in Guinea-Bissau’s multiparty era to complete a full term without being overthrown or killed.
The 52-year-old, often referred to as “the general” despite leaving the military in the 1990s, is a political scientist with a background in defence and geostrategy. Embalo initially promised to serve only one term but recently reversed his stance, declaring his intent to run again “for the good of the country.”
Since taking office in 2020 following a contested election, Embalo has faced multiple coup attempts. Despite this, he has maintained control, even dissolving parliament in December 2023 after clashes he attributed to coup plotters. The move was heavily criticised by the opposition, including Domingos Simoes Pereira, his rival and former prime minister.
Although his mandate officially ended in February, Embalo is determined to extend his rule until the elections set for November 23. His opposition, led by Pereira, claims his mandate expired, but protests calling for his ouster failed to gain traction. Political analysts suggest Embalo’s efforts to consolidate power are designed to weaken the opposition before the elections.
Embalo’s political journey has been marked by his ability to unite various factions and outmaneuver his opponents. He has built his base through the Madem G-15 movement, a coalition of former dissidents from the dominant PAIGC party, and is known for his appeal to both domestic and international supporters, including the large Bissau-Guinean diaspora.
