Military Regime in Guinea-Bissau Blocks Return of Ousted Leader
The military holding power in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau has denied the former president entry into the country, citing national security.
The return to Guinea-Bissau of former President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who was ousted in a military coup last November, has been blocked by the military administration citing reasons of national security and public order.
Rationale for the Entry Ban
The military administration in Guinea-Bissau announced that the necessary security conditions for the return of former President Umaro Sissoco Embalo have not yet been met. A government statement released on Thursday emphasized that this decision was made in line with national security concerns and the need to protect public order.
Planned Elections and Exile Process
The coup carried out in November of last year took place shortly before the announcement of the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections. Senior officers who carried out the coup suspended the electoral process and appointed Major General Horta Inta-a as interim president, while Embalo has been living in exile since then. Embalo, who recently planned to return to the country on Sunday, was expected to participate in the presidential election slated for December.
New Constitution and Political History of the Country
The new constitution approved in the referendum held in August expanded presidential powers and introduced changes to electoral rules. Among these regulations was the requirement for candidates to have resided in the country continuously for the past five years, while it remains uncertain how this rule will affect Embalo's candidacy. Guinea-Bissau, a Portuguese-speaking West African country with a long history of military coups, also serves as a transit hub for cocaine shipped to Europe.