Guinea-Bissau has opened its general election campaign ahead of the 23 November polls, where approximately 860,000 citizens will elect a President and 102 members of Parliament. Twelve presidential hopefuls are vying for office, including incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embaló and former head of state José Mário Vaz.
Fourteen political parties have presented candidates for the legislative race. President Embaló inaugurated the campaign in a lively rally in Bairro Ajuda, signalling an assertive push to secure voter confidence during this three-week period. His rhetoric emphasised constitutional legitimacy, stressing that leadership will continue to rise and fall “through the ballot box,” not by force.
The political landscape carries unprecedented dynamics, particularly the exclusion of the historic PAIGC party and its leader Domingos Simões Pereira from both presidential and parliamentary contests. Although the party issued no voting directive, Pereira personally affirmed support for independent contender Fernando Dias. The campaign unfolds under heightened security awareness following a reported foiled attempt to destabilize the constitutional order, yet Embaló projected confidence, dismissing concerns and urging peace. The season will culminate on 21 November with major closing rallies in the capital, as the nation aspires toward democratic resilience and renewed political equilibrium.