On September 11, Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló announced he will not seek a second term but cautioned against being succeeded by Nuno Nabiam, Braima Camará, or Domingos Simões Pereira.
Embaló, speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting he chaired, revealed that his decision was influenced by his wife, his primary family advisor.
Nuno Nabiam, a former prime minister and coordinator of the Forum for the Salvation of Democracy (FSD), leads a coalition including the Movement for Democratic Change (Madem G-15) and the Kumba Lanta Alliance, which consists of the Social Renewal Party (PRS) and the United People’s Assembly – Democratic Party of Guinea-Bissau (APU-PDGB).
Braima Camará, who heads the Madem G-15, and Satu Camará, another Madem G-15 leader loyal to Embaló, are potential successors. Domingos Simões Pereira, president of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) and former Guinean parliament speaker, is also mentioned as a potential successor. Pereira’s removal of the parliament in December, a controversial move occurring a year after elections, drew criticism for its constitutional implications.
Embaló’s term concludes in February 2025, but he has announced presidential elections for late 2025, drawing criticism from the opposition. He shared that his wife suggested he not seek re-election during their trip to China, encouraging him to focus on family time after years of service since he was 18.