Guinea-Bissau: Presidential elections set for November 24

Event

President José Mario Vaz announced that presidential elections will be held nationwide on Sunday, November 24. President Vaz will seek a second term in the upcoming election following his party's victory in the nationwide legislative elections on March 10.

Demonstrations and political rallies are to be anticipated in the weeks leading up to the vote. An increased security presence and localized transportation disruptions are likely near all election-related events. Although the legislative elections on March 10 were held without incident, opposition protests and subsequent clashes between demonstrators and security forces are possible through the November 24 election day.

Context

Guinea-Bissau has experienced a period of political uncertainty since August 2015, when President José Mario Vaz dismissed Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the president's own party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). Following the March 10 election, President Vaz rejected the PAIGC's proposal to name Pereira prime minister resulting in a leadership deadlock in parliament. After months of deadlock and opposition protests from Pereira's supporters, President Vaz appointed Aristide Gomes as prime minister on June 22. Despite this, the government remains unstable and President Vaz has continued to suffer increasing unpopularity.

Guinea-Bissau has struggled with government stability, facing multiple attempted coups, since gaining independence from Portugal in 1973.

Advice

Individuals in Guinea-Bissau are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.