The presidential campaign season in Guinea-Bissau officially launched over the weekend, but notably without the presence of the main opposition party.
On 23 November, the country’s 860,000 registered voters will choose a president and elect 102 parliamentary members. Voters will pick from 12 presidential contenders, including the sitting leader, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who is widely viewed as the frontrunner.
In a surprising twist, the coalition led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) has been barred from both the presidential and parliamentary races.
The Supreme Court ruled that PAIGC and its candidate, Domingos Simões Pereira, submitted their nomination documents past the deadline.
Pereira, a former prime minister and Embaló’s strongest challenger, led the party to victory in the 2023 legislative elections.
This marks the first general election since independence in 1974 without the PAIGC on the ballot.
Political stability is shaping up to be a major theme ahead of the vote.
Just days before campaigns began, several top military officials were arrested on allegations of attempting a coup. The army released a statement saying it had stopped an effort to undermine the constitutional order.
“This unfortunate incident, involving some generals and senior officers of our Armed Forces, threatens the peace and stability we need for socio-economic progress and foreign investment,” the Armed Forces General Staff said.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced four successful coups and seventeen coup attempts since gaining independence.
