Guinea-Bissau's political landscape was rocked when President Umaro Sissoco Embalo took decisive action, dissolving the opposition-dominated Parliament following what he termed an "attempted coup d'état" just days after armed clashes. The country, already plagued by chronic political instability and a history of coups, now finds itself thrust into yet another crisis.
In a bold move, President Embalo, citing "complicity" between the National Guard and certain political interests within the state apparatus, justified the dissolution. The normal functioning of the Republic's institutions became impossible after the National Guard's coup attempt, leading to a grave political crisis.
The recent events unfolded with elements of the National Guard storming the judicial police premises to extract key government figures, leading to clashes that resulted in at least two fatalities. These incidents starkly highlight the deep-seated political fractures within the state, stretching from the presidency to the government and even within the security forces.
The National Guard's allegiance to the Ministry of the Interior, aligned with the opposition-dominated Parliament, further complicates the situation. The government's passivity, as decried by President Embalo, is seen as a contributing factor to the turmoil.
The 2023 legislative elections, where a coalition centered around the historic African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde secured an absolute majority, created a challenging dynamic for President Embalo. Cohabiting with the opposition-led government, he now faces the fallout from a power struggle that has spilled into the streets.
President Embalo's decree points to the National Guard's intent to obstruct investigations by releasing detained government officials. As Guinea-Bissau grapples with this latest crisis, its future remains uncertain amid the complex interplay of political forces.