Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Ousted Guinea-Bissau Leader Plans December Presidential Election Return
Umaro Sissoco Embalo was Guinea-Bissau’s president before soldiers removed him from power.
He has been outside the country since the coup last November.
A source says he plans to return on October 4.
He also plans to run for president in an election set for December 6.
The military-led government reportedly told him he is welcome to return.
Guinea-Bissau recently approved a new constitution.
The constitution says presidential candidates must have lived in the country continuously for five years.
It is not clear whether this rule will prevent Embalo from running.
Deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo plans to return to Guinea-Bissau on October 4.
Embalo intends to run in the presidential election scheduled for December 6.
Military authorities toppled Embalo in a coup last November, before election results were announced.
A new constitution approved in August expands presidential powers and changes electoral rules.
The constitution requires presidential candidates to have lived continuously in Guinea-Bissau for five years, potentially affecting Embalo’s candidacy.
- Who
- Deposed Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and the country’s military-led authorities.
- What
- Embalo plans to return and seek the presidency in Guinea-Bissau’s December election.
- When
- He plans to return on October 4; the presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for December 6.
- Where
- Guinea-Bissau; Embalo has been outside the country since the coup, after fleeing to Senegal and then the Republic of Congo.
- Why
- Embalo intends to contest the presidency, although a new five-year residency requirement may affect his eligibility.
Embalo’s Planned Candidacy
Eligibility Questions
Return to Guinea-Bissau
Embalo’s Planned Candidacy
A source familiar with the matter said Embalo plans to return on October 4, and a source close to him said the military-led government assured him he is welcome.
Eligibility Questions
The government had not publicly confirmed the reported return, and a spokesperson did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Presidential Eligibility
Embalo’s Planned Candidacy
Embalo plans to run in the December 6 presidential election.
Eligibility Questions
The new constitution requires five years of continuous residence in Guinea-Bissau, and it was unclear how that rule might affect his candidacy because Embalo has been abroad since the coup.
- Candidate
- Umaro Sissoco Embalo
- Return date
- October 4
- Election date
- December 6
- Previous event
- Embalo was toppled in a military coup last November.
- Constitutional change
- A referendum in August approved a new constitution expanding presidential powers and changing electoral rules.
- Residency rule
- Presidential candidates must have lived continuously in Guinea-Bissau for the preceding five years.
- Campaign status
- Embalo’s campaign organisation had not yet been finalised, according to a source close to him.