Voting in Guinea-Bissau gets underway under disputed circumstances as President Umaro Sissoco Embalo seeks a second term. With multiple coups weighing heavily on the West African nation, Sunday's presidential and parliamentary elections are poised to have significant repercussions for regional stability.
The polls pit Embalo against Fernando Dias da Costa, who has the backing of former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, the runner-up in 2019. To win outright, candidates must secure more than 50% of the vote; if this threshold is not met, a runoff will be held. With nearly half of Guinea-Bissau's 2.2 million population registered to cast their ballots, the outcome of these elections could have far-reaching implications.
A contentious aspect of these polls is the exclusion of the main opposition party, led by Pereira and the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (APIGC), from Sunday's vote. Authorities claimed that failing to submit an application early rendered them ineligible to participate. The main opposition party has been at odds with Embalo since 2021, when he came to power.
The situation is complicated by Guinea-Bissau's tumultuous history of coups and attempted coups, with the country still grappling with poverty and instability. Over half of its population – approximately 1.1 million people – lives on less than $2 a day, according to the World Bank. The nation has also been used as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.
The legislative election is taking place against the backdrop of Guinea-Bissau's troubled politics. The opposition-dominated parliament dissolved itself in December 2023, following an attempt by Embalo to stage a coup. Despite this, analysts warn that these elections could embolden militaries in other West African countries that have seized power through disputed elections.
For local residents like Marinho Insoldé, the outcome of these polls holds significant personal significance. As he stated, "I hope that these elections will bring peace and tranquility so that there is no more hunger."
The polls pit Embalo against Fernando Dias da Costa, who has the backing of former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, the runner-up in 2019. To win outright, candidates must secure more than 50% of the vote; if this threshold is not met, a runoff will be held. With nearly half of Guinea-Bissau's 2.2 million population registered to cast their ballots, the outcome of these elections could have far-reaching implications.
A contentious aspect of these polls is the exclusion of the main opposition party, led by Pereira and the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (APIGC), from Sunday's vote. Authorities claimed that failing to submit an application early rendered them ineligible to participate. The main opposition party has been at odds with Embalo since 2021, when he came to power.
The situation is complicated by Guinea-Bissau's tumultuous history of coups and attempted coups, with the country still grappling with poverty and instability. Over half of its population – approximately 1.1 million people – lives on less than $2 a day, according to the World Bank. The nation has also been used as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.
The legislative election is taking place against the backdrop of Guinea-Bissau's troubled politics. The opposition-dominated parliament dissolved itself in December 2023, following an attempt by Embalo to stage a coup. Despite this, analysts warn that these elections could embolden militaries in other West African countries that have seized power through disputed elections.
For local residents like Marinho Insoldé, the outcome of these polls holds significant personal significance. As he stated, "I hope that these elections will bring peace and tranquility so that there is no more hunger."
. SERIOUSLY THOUGH, IT'S LIKE, THE COUNTRY IS STILL REELING FROM COUP AFTER COUP AND NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO HOLD ELECTIONS WITH ALL THESE ISSUES SURROUNDING THEM 
. FERNANDO DA COSTA HAS A POINT IN BEING EXCLUDED FROM THE ELECTIONS, I GUESS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S LIKE, THE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY HAS BEEN FEUDING WITH PRESIDENT ALBA FOR YEARS 
.
. WE'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN BEFORE IN WEST AFRICA, WHERE MILITARIES TAKE OVER THROUGH DISPUTED ELECTIONS AND THINGS JUST GET OUT OF HAND 
. SO FINGERS CROSSED THAT EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY THIS TIME 
.
I know it's messy with all the coups and disputes, but think of it like a reboot – an opportunity for the country to start fresh and figure out its future. It's crazy that half the population lives on less than $2 a day, but if people like Marinho Insoldé are holding out hope for peace and stability, that's a good sign! 
Maybe this election will be a turning point for Guinea-Bissau, who knows? 
. And with the president's term being disputed and all... it's hard not to think that the outcome is already rigged 
. Plus, the fact that nearly half the population can't even afford $2 a day is just crazy 
. Can we really expect these elections to bring about real change? Or are they just gonna be another example of the country's long history of instability and corruption? I don't know, man... I'm just not buying it 
.
meanwhile poor people like marinho insoldé dont even have $2 a day let alone know if embalo's really gonna make things better 
. Like, what's the point of having a stable government if you're just gonna keep switching leaders left and right? 
.
. I mean, what even constitutes "submitting an application early" in this case? It's like they're trying to make it impossible for anyone to actually win 
. Maybe Marinho Insoldé is onto something with the whole "peace and tranquility" thing 
.