Main opposition barred in Guinea-Bissau vote as President Embalo seeks second term

Guinea-Bissau began voting on Sunday as President Umaro Sissoco Embalo seeks a second term in the West African nation, which has endured multiple coups.

The presidential and parliamentary elections come at a critical time in West Africa, where democracy has recently been challenged by disputed elections that analysts say could embolden militaries that have forcefully taken power in several countries.

Sunday’s vote is a race between Embalo and Fernando Dias da Costa, who is backed by former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, the runner-up in the 2019 presidential election. The winner needs more than 50 percent of the votes, or the election will head to a runoff.

Embalo, a 53-year-old former army general who first came to power in 2021, is backed by a political coalition of more than 20 groups. He is being challenged by 11 other candidates. 

Pereira and the main opposition African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, which he leads, were barred from Sunday’s election after authorities said they failed to submit their application early.

Nearly half the country’s population of 2.2 million citizens are registered to vote.

It is seen as one of the most contentious votes in recent history because of the exclusion of the main opposition party.

Guinea-Bissau is one of the world’s poorest countries, with half its population of around 2.2 million people considered poor, according to the World Bank. It has emerged as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, and has been dogged by coups and attempted coups since its independence from Portugal more than 50 years ago.

The vote comes at a critical time for the African country, which has endured multiple coups, with an attempt reported in October. 

‘I hope that these elections will bring peace’

The legislative election is also being held in unusual circumstances. The opposition-dominated parliament has not convened since December 2023, when it was dissolved by Embalo after an attempted coup. The main opposition party won the legislative election in 2023 and in 2019.

In the capital of Bissau, resident Marinho Insoldé expressed optimism the election outcome would improve conditions.

“I hope that these elections will bring peace and tranquility so that there is no more hunger,” said Insoldé.

(FRANCE 24 with AP)