Guinea-Bissau Votes as President Embalo Seeks Rare Second Term

Guinea-Bissau held presidential and legislative elections on Sunday, with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo seeking a second consecutive term, something no leader has achieved in the country for three decades.

Embalo is competing against eleven challengers. His main opponent is Fernando Dias, who is supported by the long-established PAIGC party. PAIGC was unable to field its own candidate after authorities ruled that its registration documents were submitted late, a decision the party disputes.

The vote comes as the country continues to face political instability. Guinea-Bissau has recorded multiple coups since independence from Portugal in 1974, including incidents during Embalo’s tenure. The president has campaigned on maintaining stability and improving infrastructure through road expansion and better water access. His critics, however, accuse him of extending political tensions by allowing his mandate to lapse earlier this year and using institutional disputes to tighten control.

• Guinea-Bissau votes as President Embalo seeks a rare second consecutive term amid political tensions
• Opposition candidate Fernando Dias challenges Embalo, citing weakened institutions and trafficking concerns
• Calm voting and steady turnout mark a critical election in a coup-prone nation seeking stability

Dias has focused his campaign on claims that Embalo weakened key state institutions and failed to curb drug-trafficking networks operating through the country. International crime-monitoring groups previously warned that Guinea-Bissau remains a significant transit point for cocaine shipments moving from South America to Europe.

Voting was calm in most areas, including the capital, Bissau. Around half of the nation’s population of roughly two million is registered to participate. Election officials said turnout appeared steady through the afternoon.

Polls were set to close at 17:00 GMT. Provisional results are expected within 48 hours. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two contenders will proceed to a runoff.

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A victory would give Embalo a second term and mark an uncommon period of electoral continuity in a country where political transitions are often disrupted.