Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on Monday dissolved the country’s parliament and called for parliamentary elections by the end of the year, reported Reuters.
In an address to the nation, the president cited “persistent and unresolvable differences” between the national assembly and other government branches, justifying the dissolution of the parliament.
“I have decided to give the floor back to the people of Guinea so that once again this year they can freely choose at the ballot box the Parliament they wish to have for an eleventh term”, the President said.
He called for early parliamentary elections in December.
“The National People’s Assembly has defended and protected, under the guise of parliamentary immunity, deputies heavily indicted for crimes of corruption, harmful administration and embezzlement,” Guinea-Bissau’s president said in a statement.
According to the statement, the legislative elections will be held on Dec. 18, 2022.
The former Portuguese colony of around two million people has seen frequent political turmoil, with ten coups or attempted coups since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974. The West African nation has long struggled with corruption and poverty.
Embalo survived the latest failed coup and assassination attempt earlier this year. On February 1, some heavily armed people attacked government buildings in the capital Bissau while President Embalo was chairing a cabinet meeting. The 49-year-old president escaped the five-hour gun battle unharmed, which he described as a plot to wipe out Guinea-Bissau’s government. At least 11 people lost their lives in the fighting.
In related news, last week, President Embalo sacked his economy minister and temporarily handed over his portfolio to the prime minister, a presidential decree said.
It said that Victor Mandiga was replaced to guarantee the regular functioning of the country’s institutions. Guinea-Bissau’s Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam has been asked to take on the role of minister of the economy, planning and regional integration.
