Bissau, Guinea-Bissau — Voters headed to the polls on Sunday in a pivotal presidential and legislative election, with incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló seeking a second term in office.
The vote comes at a sensitive moment for West Africa, a region where democratic stability has been shaken by contested elections and political unrest.
Embaló, a former army general who first assumed power in 2021, is facing 11 challengers, among them Fernando Dias, a political newcomer who has rapidly gained national attention.
Analysts say the race is shaping up to be a competitive contest between the two men, with the constitution requiring a candidate to secure more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.
One of the most contentious issues surrounding the election has been the exclusion of former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira and his influential PAIGC party, which led the struggle for independence from Portugal.
Authorities barred both Pereira and PAIGC from participating after ruling that their application was submitted too late — a decision that has sparked debate and added uncertainty to the political landscape.
Despite the controversy, Embaló enters the race backed by a broad political coalition of more than 20 groups. He has campaigned on promises to deliver stability, expand road networks, and increase access to clean water.
Dias, meanwhile, has centered his message on national reconciliation, strengthening essential services, and keeping the military out of political affairs — a key concern in a country that has experienced multiple coups and prolonged political tensions.
The African News service reported that “the exclusion of the main opposition and ongoing rivalry between military factions have raised fears about a potential post-election crisis,” underscoring how fragile the situation remains.
If Embaló secured victory, he would become the first president in nearly 30 years to win a consecutive term in Guinea-Bissau, a milestone that many observers say could either signal improved political stability or deepen divisions, depending on the reaction of excluded opposition groups and the military establishment.
Roughly 900,000 registered voters cast ballots on Sunday to elect both the next head of state and 102 members of the National People’s Assembly.
Polling stations closed at 17:00 GMT, with provisional results expected within the next 48 hours.
As ballots are tallied, the nation — and the region — watches closely, hopeful for a peaceful process but wary of historical tensions that could shape what comes next.
