Name: Voters seek stability in Guinea-Bissau presidential race
Uploaded: 2025-11-24T17:25:50.581Z
Duration: 2 min 2 s
Description: Coup-prone Guinea-Bissau voted on Sunday (November 23) in presidential and legislative elections, with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in a tight contest to become the first leader in three decades to win a second consecutive term in the West African nation.

Coup-prone Guinea-Bissau voted on Sunday (November 23) in presidential and legislative elections, with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in a tight contest to become the first leader in three decades to win a second consecutive term in the West African nation.

Bissau

Guinea-Bissau conducted presidential and legislative elections as voters expressed hopes for stability and progress in a country marked by political volatility and multiple coups since independence in 1974. Incumbent President Umaro Sisoko Mbalo is seeking a second consecutive term, facing strong competition from Fernando Dias, a newcomer supported by the historic independence party.

Key campaign issues include tackling drug trafficking and ensuring national development. If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote, a run-off will be held. Provisional results are scheduled to be announced by the National Electoral Commission.

Voters seek stability in Guinea-Bissau presidential race

Voters queued patiently, clutching their voting cards at polling stations, as Guinea-Bissau held its presidential and legislative elections on Sunday. Residents were hoping for change, stability and development in the politically volatile West African nation. The country saw at least nine coups between 1974, when it gained independence from Portugal, and 2020, when President Umaro Sisoko Mbalo took office. In this election, Mbalo is in a tight contest to become the first leader in three decades to win a second consecutive term. He echoed voters' sentiments as he cast his vote on Sunday. I call on everyone to vote massively, to elect a person who will bring stability and progress to Guinea-Bissau, to build this country. He faces 11 other candidates, the strongest being Fernando Dias, a relative political newcomer backed by the party that led the fight for independence from Portugal in the 1960s and 1970s. Ahead of the elections, Dias vowed to tackle drug trafficking in the nation, a key transit point for cocaine traveling from South America to Europe. How is it possible for a drug plane to take off in Guinea-Bissau at the airport and the president says he has no knowledge of it? We also think that, being aware of this, we will fight against drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau, especially when it's coming from public authorities. Analysts predict a close race between Mbalo and Dias. A run-off will be held if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote. Provisional results will be announced on Thursday, according to a spokesperson for the National Electoral Commission. As residents lined up to cast their ballots, one voter expressed cautious optimism about the election's outcome. No matter who wins, the country must not lose. I can't tell you who will lose. I hope it will be someone who is ready to move the country forward.

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