Guinea-Bissau, beset by coups, votes in contentious presidential election
Summary
Voting is taking place in Guinea-Bissau, where President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is seeking a second term amid opposition challenges. The country, which has a history of coups, faces a difficult election, requiring over 50% of votes to avoid a run-off. Embalo, a former army general, has dissolved parliament and promised development, but faces opposition in a country marked by poverty and political instability.Key Facts
- Voting is underway in Guinea-Bissau for a presidential election.
- President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is seeking a second term.
- The election follows multiple coup attempts in the country.
- Over 50% of votes are needed to win, or there will be a run-off election.
- Nearly half of Guinea-Bissau's 2.2 million people are registered to vote.
- There are 12 candidates, but the main race is between Embalo and Fernando Dias da Costa.
- The main opposition party and its leader have been banned from the election.
- Embalo has not allowed parliament to convene since December 2023.
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