Guinea Bissau: Umaro Sissoco Embalo willing to continue serving as President

Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has expressed his willingness to continue serving as “President of Guinea-Bissau” if his supporters desire it, reversing a decision he made just last week. Previously, Embaló had announced he would not seek a second term, citing his wife’s advice.

“It was a decision I made after listening to the opinion of my wife, who is my closest family,” Embaló had stated after presiding over a Council of Ministers meeting.

However, speaking at the National Council meeting of a faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (Madem G-15) on Sunday (September 15), Embaló suggested he might reconsider. Addressing a passionate crowd of party activists, he said, “last Tuesday I said I wouldn’t run for a second term, but if you believe I should, I’m at your disposal. I am not above you.”

He also affirmed his readiness to stand by the Guinean people in the face of any challenges. “If you still see me as the solution, I will be here for you,” he added.

Madem G-15, a party founded in 2018 by former members of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), is currently divided into two factions. One group, gathered at the National Council in a hotel in Bissau, supports Embaló’s potential second term, while another opposes it.

The pro-Embaló faction is led by veteran independence figure Satu Camará, while the opposing faction is led by businessman Braima Camará, who considers himself the legitimate leader after being elected at a 2022 congress for a four-year term.

The internal dispute within Madem G-15 is currently before the courts, with a final decision expected after the judicial recess in October.