Guinea-Bissau's military government bars ousted president Embalo's return ahead of December election

Guinea-Bissau’s military government has blocked former president Umaro Sissoco Embalo from returning to the country, citing national security concerns and the need to preserve public order, weeks before a presidential election scheduled for December 6.

“It is considered that the necessary security conditions are not yet in place to guarantee the return to national territory of the former President of the Republic, Mr Umaro Sissoco Embalo,” a government statement published on Thursday said, according to Reuters.

Embalo, toppled in a military coup last November, had planned to return on Sunday and contest the December election, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier this week. The coup came shortly before presidential and legislative election results were due to be announced; the senior army officers who carried it out suspended the electoral process and installed Major-General Horta Inta-a as transitional president, and Embalo has been in exile since.

The junta has said the December 6 vote is intended to restore civilian rule, although Voice of Nigeria reports it remains unclear whether the dispute over Embalo’s return will affect the timetable, with restrictions on political demonstrations and public gatherings remaining in force.

A new constitution approved in an August referendum requires presidential candidates to have lived continuously in the country for the preceding five years; Reuters noted it was unclear how that provision might have affected Embalo’s candidacy.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced five coups and numerous attempted takeovers since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.