A delegation from the West African bloc ECOWAS has pulled out of Guinea-Bissau after President Umaro Sissoco Embalo allegedly threatened to expel the team. The group had been in the country since last month, aiming to mediate political tensions and help build consensus around holding national elections this year.
ECOWAS stated that the mission had already drafted a proposed election roadmap and had begun engaging local stakeholders to gain support. However, the delegation made an unplanned exit early Saturday following the president’s warnings.
The bloc now intends to present its findings and recommendations to ECOWAS leadership, with proposals to ensure peaceful and inclusive elections in the country. President Embalo has not publicly responded to ECOWAS’s claims.
Tensions in Guinea-Bissau have intensified over disputes regarding the official end of Embalo’s term. While opposition parties argue that his five-year term expired last week, the Supreme Court maintains that it will officially conclude on September 4.
The general elections, originally scheduled for November 2023, were postponed by President Embalo. He has since rescheduled them for November 30, a decision met with strong resistance from opposition leaders.
Guinea-Bissau has long struggled with political instability and has experienced several military coups since gaining independence in 1974. Embalo himself has survived two coup attempts, including one in December 2023, which led him to dissolve the opposition-led parliament.
Coinciding with the opposition’s declaration that Embalo’s mandate had ended, they called for a nationwide strike. In response, security forces were deployed across the capital to maintain order.
Notably, President Embalo had departed for Moscow the day before the opposition’s announcement, where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussions reportedly focused on strengthening bilateral ties.
