Guinea-Bissau is on high alert following opposition calls for nationwide paralysis as President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s term is contested. Security measures have been increased, while the ECOWAS force has intervened to mediate tensions. The country’s political future hangs in the balance with elections approaching on November 30.
Bissau, Guinea-Bissau’s capital, has seen augmented security since February 27, 2023, following opposition calls for nationwide paralysis, which coincide with the disputed end of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s term. Authorities have stepped up their presence through armoured vehicles and personnel from the National Guard and Rapid Intervention Police, while the ECOWAS stabilisation force has also been deployed, reflecting the heightened political tension as opposition leaders advocate for halting all activities in protest.
Opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, assert that President Embalo’s five-year term is set to conclude at 14:50 local time on the specified date. Pereira’s faction has demanded a complete standstill throughout the country, calling on citizens to remain at home, close their businesses, and discontinue transport activities. This call has yielded mixed responses; some parents refrained from sending children to school, while retailers, such as Aliu Seidi, encouraged a return to normal operations.
In response to the escalating political unrest, a high-level ECOWAS mission has arrived in Guinea-Bissau to facilitate dialogue and mitigate further instability. The delegation has engaged with opposition representatives, including former Prime Minister Geraldo Martins, to mediate between governmental and opposition factions. With presidential and legislative elections slated for November 30, the nation grapples with uncertainty regarding its political future and the current administration’s legitimacy.
In summary, Guinea-Bissau is experiencing heightened political tension as opposition leaders call for nationwide paralysis coinciding with the conclusion of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s purported term. The government’s response includes fortified security measures and the presence of the ECOWAS stabilisation force. Mixed reactions to the opposition’s call reflect the growing unrest. As the country approaches scheduled elections, the political climate remains fraught with uncertainty and potential instability.
Original Source: medafricatimes.com
