President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announces dissolution of National Assembly and early elections in Guinea-Bissau

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has convened a meeting of the Council of State at the presidential palace, where he announced the dissolution of the National Assembly. This decision comes three days after what he termed a «coup attempt», following the interrogation of two opposition ministers. Persistent political instability and clashes between security forces have prompted the president to take drastic measures, including the organization of early legislative elections.

The dissolution of the National Assembly was on the agenda of the Council of State meeting, attended by representatives of major state bodies, Supreme Court President, National Assembly President Domingos Sims’s Pereira, Prime Minister Geraldo Martins, and leaders of political parties.

This decision follows a period of difficult cohabitation between the president and the opposition Parliament, in place since last summer’s legislative elections.

Last week, a coup attempt was triggered after the interrogation of two opposition ministers, followed by the intrusion of the National Guard into the offices of the judicial police to free them.

Clashes erupted between the National Guard and the special forces of the Presidential Guard, resulting in at least two deaths. The president deemed this security force interference intolerable.

President Embalo announced the holding of early legislative elections to restore balance and tranquility in the country.

The date for these elections will be determined later, following constitutional provisions.

The president cites «complicity» between the National Guard and certain political interests within the state apparatus as justification for the dissolution and early elections.

President  Umaro Sissoco Embalo emphasized that the coup attempt led by the National Guard, along with evidence of political complicity within the state apparatus, has made the normal functioning of the Republic’s institutions impossible.

This situation confirms the existence of a severe political crisis that requires a reshaping of the political landscape through a new legislative ballot.

Malam DAO