By Omar Bah
Guinea-Bissau is currently facing a political crisis as President Umaro Sissoco Embaló refuses to step down after his term officially ended on February 27, 2025. Civil society organizations and opposition leaders have condemned his actions, labeling them an “institutional coup,” and are demanding immediate elections within 90 days instead of the November 30 date proposed by Embaló.
The crisis escalated when Embaló dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament in late 2023 and has since ruled by decree. Civil society groups have written to French President Emmanuel Macron to garner international support, urging him to address Embaló’s refusal to relinquish power.
France has historical ties to Guinea-Bissau and has previously expressed support for stabilizing its institutions. The situation is further complicated by Embaló’s announcement that he intends to seek re-election despite widespread opposition and constitutional disputes regarding his term limits. This has heightened tensions in a country with a history of coups and political instability.
In a statement shared with *The Standard* yesterday, the Bissau Civil Society group appealed to President Macron to denounce what they describe as his ongoing complicity with President Embaló, which they claim has helped solidify an autocratic regime in Guinea-Bissau.
The group also warned President Macron about the dangers Embaló’s dictatorship poses for Guinea-Bissau and West Africa, undermining collective efforts to promote peace and stability. “We remind President Macron that a country like France, known for its history of struggle for freedom and human dignity, cannot be complicit in dictatorial regimes, as is currently the case in Guinea-Bissau,” the statement added.
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) also reminded President Macron that Amílcar Cabral’s spirit remains vibrant among Guinea-Bissau youth, who are willing to risk their lives to defend their freedom.
“We caution President Macron that continuing to support Embaló’s grip on power—without popular legitimacy and in defiance of the country’s constitution—would be yet another affront to Guinea-Bissau,” the statement continued.
The CSOs urged Mr. Macron to respect the legitimate aspirations of the Bissau-Guinean people to live in freedom and dignity. “In conclusion, we want to reiterate our firm determination to mobilize the Bissau-Guinean people in the coming days to fight against the dictatorship, remove Embaló from the presidential palace, and restore constitutional normalcy,” the CSOs added.
