Guinea-Bissau: Opposition Slams Embaló’s Election Bid
Guinean opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira has slammed former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s decision to run in the upcoming December elections, calling the move “shocking” and a significant cause for “concern.”
Speaking from Portugal, where he is currently seeking medical treatment, Pereira questioned the legitimacy of the entire electoral process. He suggested that the political landscape is being manipulated to ensure Embaló’s return to power following his removal in a November 2025 coup—an event Pereira described as more “ceremonial” than a genuine military takeover.
A “Ceremonial” Coup and Questions of Legitimacy
Pereira, the leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), argues that Embaló never truly accepted his status as a former leader. He accused the former president of obstructing previous election results that allegedly showed him losing, and of preventing the recognition of Fernando Dias da Costa as the rightful president.
According to Pereira, Embaló’s departure from Guinea-Bissau was a calculated maneuver to keep loyalists in power until the environment was favorable for his return. “I have rarely, if ever, heard of an entity that was a victim of a coup d’état making such statements regarding those who removed them from power,” Pereira told Lusa news agency, highlighting what he sees as a suspicious alliance between the former president and the current military junta.
Uneven Playing Field
The opposition leader expressed deep skepticism regarding whether other political figures would be afforded the same safety and equality in the race. He raised the alarm over whether the Guinean military, which recently pivoted from prioritizing stability to clearing the path for Embaló’s candidacy, would guarantee a fair process for all citizens wishing to participate.
“The big question is knowing if these same conditions will be guaranteed to all other Guineans who wish to return and participate in the process,” Pereira said. “This should arouse concern and questioning.”
Embaló Signals His Return
The controversy follows Embaló’s formal announcement to Jeune Afrique magazine that he will seek the presidency in the December 6 elections. Currently in Brazzaville, he is expected to return to Bissau this Sunday.
Reports suggest that Embaló remains close to General Horta N’Tam Inta-a, the transitional president and a key figure in the 2025 coup. Embaló reportedly believes the General will respect the transitional charter and abstain from running, leaving the lane open for the former president’s comeback. Embaló’s party, Madem G15, is scheduled to hold its congress in mid-October, followed by the launch of a “Republican Platform” supported by over a dozen parties.
A Reshaped Political Landscape
Since the November 26 coup, the military-led National Transition Council (CNT) has fundamentally altered Guinea-Bissau’s governance. The council dissolved parliament and pushed through a new Constitution that significantly strengthens the powers of the President of the Republic.
With legislative and presidential elections both set for December 6, opposition figures like Pereira fear these structural changes were designed specifically to facilitate Embaló’s return to a more powerful, less checked executive office.
Image: Pexels – Fatima Yusuf
