President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has indefinitely suspended Guinea-Bissau’s legislative elections, which had been planned for November 24, adding further uncertainty to the West African nation’s political landscape. The decision, confirmed on Monday by a presidential spokesperson, reflects ongoing instability and logistical challenges.
The November election was initially set after Embalo dissolved parliament in December 2023, attributing the decision to an alleged attempted coup involving armed clashes just days prior.
Last week, signs of a potential delay emerged when Territorial Administration Minister Aristides Ocante da Silva cited logistical and funding issues that would hinder the election process. On November 1, he cautioned that organizing the vote on time would likely be unfeasible.
President Embalo hinted at the postponement over the weekend, officially announcing it Monday. His adviser, Fernando Delfim da Silva, revealed that the July 2024 decree scheduling the election had been voided, with a new election date to be determined in a forthcoming decree.
This indefinite delay underscores the challenges Guinea-Bissau faces, as political and economic instability continue to complicate the country’s path forward.
