Guinea-Bissau’s President, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, has taken a significant step by dissolving the nation’s parliament through a presidential decree issued on Monday.
The decision is linked to a recent shootout, labeled as a failed coup attempt, which occurred in the capital, Bissau. The clash involved the Presidential Palace Battalion and the National Guard, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The decree explicitly states that the date for the upcoming legislative elections will be determined in due time, adhering to constitutional provisions, and it comes into immediate effect. The backdrop of the incident involves a tense scenario where the Presidential Palace Battalion attempted to rearrest two ministers released during a corruption investigation.
The power dynamics in Guinea-Bissau’s semi-presidential system, where the majority party in parliament appoints the Cabinet, have played a role in this development. The National Guard, under the Ministry of Interior, is largely controlled by the opposition-dominated parliament, setting the stage for heightened political tensions.
Adding to the complexity, lingering tensions persist between President Embalo and a coalition of opposition groups that secured the parliamentary majority in June. This victory occurred over a year after the president dissolved the parliament, creating an intricate political landscape with potential implications for the country’s stability.
