Guinea-Bissau: Opposition candidate wins presidential run-off January 1 /update 2

Event

Guinea-Bissau’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) declared opposition candidate Umaro Cissoko Embalo the winner of the presidential run-off on Wednesday, January 1. According to the NEC, Embalo secured 54 percent of the vote on Sunday, December 29, while his rival, Domingos Simoes Pereira, received 46 percent. Following the NEC announcement, Pereira said that he would contest the results with the Supreme Court. Pereira claims that the runoff was marked by electoral fraud.

Associated political demonstrations are possible over the coming days. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are expected around all political events.

Context

Guinea-Bissau has experienced a period of political uncertainty since August 2015, when President José Mario Vaz dismissed then-Prime Minister Pereira, leader of the president's own party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). President Vaz has suffered increasing unpopularity and only received 12 percent of the vote during the first round of the presidential election on November 24.

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.