Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has officially dissolved parliament following his survival of an attempted coup last week.
Tensions escalated in the capital, Bissau, as clashes erupted between the national guard and the presidential guard, resulting in at least two casualties.
President Embalo, attending the COP28 climate conference in Dubai during the turmoil, returned on Saturday, citing impediments due to the attempted coup.
He alleges “complicity” between the national guard and “certain political interests,” leading to the dysfunction of state institutions.
Consequently, on Monday, he dissolved parliament, emphasizing that forthcoming legislative elections would be scheduled in accordance with the constitution.
Critics, including prominent rival Domingos Simoes Pereira, former president of parliament and leader of the PAIGC party, dismissed President Embalo’s move as unconstitutional. Simoes Pereira asserts the president’s actions are a threat to the democratic process.
The announcement has sparked public dissent, with several dozen protestors gathering outside parliament to voice their opposition to the dissolution.
The situation remains tense as the nation grapples with political uncertainty and questions surrounding the legitimacy of the president’s actions.
