Afripoli

Guinea-Bissau junta bars ousted president Embaló from returning

3 October 2026

Guinea-Bissau’s military authorities have barred former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló from returning on 4 October, citing national security and public order. Embaló, in Morocco since soldiers seized power in November 2025, planned to come home to stand in the presidential and legislative elections set for 6 December. The junta keeps a ban on political gatherings, and an August referendum approved a constitution that expanded presidential powers. Excluding a former head of state fits a pattern in West Africa’s military-led states, where promised elections come with tight limits on who may compete. A court ruling on Embaló’s candidacy will show how open the vote will be.

Politics · Tags: Guinea-Bissau

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