The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has withdrawn its
mediation team from Guinea-Bissau after President Umaro Sissoco Embalo
allegedly threatened to expel them. The mission, deployed to resolve an election
dispute, aimed to establish a political consensus on the delayed general elections
initially scheduled for last November 2024.
President Embalo postponed the elections to November 30, 2025, a move opposed
by the opposition, which claims his term expired last week. Although the Supreme
Court extended his tenure until September, tensions remain high. The ECOWAS
team, in collaboration with the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel
(UNOWAS), had drafted a roadmap for the elections but departed on March 1 due
to the president’s threats.
Guinea-Bissau, historically plagued by military coups, has faced two attempted
overthrows of Embalo, the latest in December 2023. In response, he dissolved the
opposition-controlled parliament. Amidst rising tensions, the opposition called for
a nationwide strike, while Embalo visited Moscow for discussions with Russian
President Vladimir Putin. ECOWAS now plans to present a report with
recommendations for peaceful and inclusive elections.
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