A mission deployed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to mediate a political dispute in Guinea-Bissau has left the country following threats from President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, according to AP News.
The mission, which included representatives from the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), was aimed at resolving tensions over the timing of presidential and parliamentary elections in the small West African nation.
The dispute centers on the end date of President Embaló’s term, which began in 2020. The opposition claimed his term had ended last week, whereas the country’s Supreme Court ruled that it would conclude on 4 September. Embaló announced that elections would be held on 30 November, further fueling the controversy.
Guinea-Bissau, which gained independence from Portugal in 1974, has a history of political instability, including multiple coups and attempted coups. The current standoff has raised fears of renewed unrest in the country.
ECOWAS mission withdraws
The ECOWAS mission, deployed from February 21 to February 28, sought to broker a consensus on the election timeline. However, the mission’s efforts were undermined by President Embaló’s threats, prompting its early departure on Saturday.
President Embaló, who claims to have survived two coup attempts, dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament in December 2023 following a shootout between the national guard and presidential guard. He accused the parliament of passivity and has since consolidated power, further alienating the opposition.
Last week, Embaló met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss potential economic and security partnerships. Russia has increasingly positioned itself as a key security partner for African nations, displacing former allies like France and the United States.
The withdrawal of the ECOWAS mission leaves Guinea-Bissau’s political future uncertain. With the opposition and Embalo’s administration at odds over the election timeline, the risk of unrest remains high.
