Guinea-Bissau’s President, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, announced plans to hold consultations this week to reschedule the early legislative elections initially set for November 24 but postponed. The announcement came during a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the Armed Forces, the 51st anniversary of independence, and the centenary of Amílcar Cabral’s birth.
President Sissoco Embaló stated that he will convene the National Elections Commission (CNE) and political parties to determine a new election date. Opposition parties, who had called for the election’s rescheduling and planned protests, canceled demonstrations tied to Armed Forces Day celebrations. Emphasizing the need for political stability and non-violence, the president highlighted the Armed Forces’ ongoing efforts to rebuild their credibility after years of instability.
The event also celebrated Guinea-Bissau’s independence from Portuguese colonialism, declared unilaterally on September 24, 1973. Sissoco Embaló clarified that while Independence Day remains unchanged, its celebrations are moved to November 16 to ensure broader participation, avoiding disruptions caused by the rainy season.
Notable attendees included Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, underscoring strengthened ties between the two nations. The president paid tribute to historic figures of the independence struggle, including Amílcar Cabral and former president Nino Vieira. Over 100 officers, including Chief of Staff Biaguê Na N’Tan and acting National Popular Assembly President Adja Satu Camará, were honored.
Defense Minister Dionísio Cabi acknowledged Cabral’s lasting influence on Guinea-Bissau’s military, which originated during the 1964 Cassacá congress. Sixty years after its formation, the Armed Forces celebrated Cabral’s legacy alongside the centenary of his birth, uniting the country’s ethnic groups in reflection on their shared history.