Guinea-Bissau to hold elections after last years military coup

Guinea-Bissau Announces Legislative and Presidential Elections for December 6

A decree issued by Major-General Horta Inta-a, leader of Guinea-Bissau’s military government, has set a date for legislative and presidential elections on December 6. According to the statement, all necessary conditions have been met for the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections.

The announcement comes after a coup in November removed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo from office and appointed Inta-a as head of the military government. A transitional charter published earlier this month bars Inta-a from running for election due to his close association with Embalo.

The military seized power, citing concerns over potential violence between supporters of rival candidates in a presidential election. Guinea-Bissau has experienced frequent coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal over 50 years ago.

A recent visit by an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mission, led by Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio and Senegalese counterpart Bassirou Diomaye Faye, took place weeks prior to the announcement. The leaders met with military officials and called for a short, structured, and transparent transition period.

The country has been plagued by instability, including a coup attempt in October, and is known for its role as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe. Experts attribute this trend to fueling political crises.

Opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira, who was imprisoned on the day of the coup, remains incarcerated. The ECOWAS mission has also demanded the release of other political opponents.

Source: Al Jazeera