Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo faces a dozen rivals as he campaigns for reelection in the West African nation's upcoming combined legislative and presidential contest, seeking to become the first sitting leader returned to office in thirty years. The 53-year-old former military commander received a boost when courts blocked his principal challenger, PAIGC party head Domingos Simoes Pereira, from appearing on ballots due to late document submission.
The opposition party transferred backing to Fernando Dias despite concerns about his limited national profile in his debut electoral run. Former president Jose Mario Vaz and ex-defense minister Baciro Dja are among other contenders vying for leadership of the chronically unstable country that has weathered numerous coup attempts since Portuguese colonial rule ended in 1974.
Analysts question whether voter support can successfully shift to replacement candidates amid controversy over judicial restructuring and electoral commission independence that opponents argue favors the administration.
The opposition party transferred backing to Fernando Dias despite concerns about his limited national profile in his debut electoral run. Former president Jose Mario Vaz and ex-defense minister Baciro Dja are among other contenders vying for leadership of the chronically unstable country that has weathered numerous coup attempts since Portuguese colonial rule ended in 1974.
Analysts question whether voter support can successfully shift to replacement candidates amid controversy over judicial restructuring and electoral commission independence that opponents argue favors the administration.
