On November 23, 2025, Guinea-Bissau held its crucial presidential and legislative elections. The incumbent, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, is running for a second term in office, facing significant competition from Fernando Dias, a political newcomer.
This election is especially important, as Guinea-Bissau has experienced political instability in recent years, with disputed elections and military tensions.
Embalo is supported by a coalition of over 20 political groups and is running on a platform of stability, economic development, and infrastructure improvements, including plans to build more roads and expand access to clean water. He first came to power in 2021 after a military-backed election victory.
Dias, although a newcomer, is backed by Domingos Simoes Pereira, the former prime minister and leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC).
However, Pereira and the PAIGC were excluded from the race by the electoral authorities for failing to submit their application on time, a decision that has raised concerns about the fairness of the process.
Analysts predict a close race between Embalo and Dias, with the winner needing to secure more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff.
This race is crucial because no president in the past three decades has been able to secure a second consecutive term in Guinea-Bissau. If Embalo wins, he would break this trend and become the first president in 30 years to serve a second term.
The election is taking place at a critical time for West Africa, where recent military coups and disputed elections have shaken faith in democracy.
Fears of political instability and military influence persist, as Guinea-Bissau has a history of military coups and political unrest.
The country’s 900,000 registered voters are casting their ballots for the new head of state and 102 members of the National People’s Assembly.
The voting process has been peaceful so far, but there are concerns about potential post-election violence, particularly if the results are contested.
The polling stations closed at 5:00 PM GMT, with provisional results expected within 48 hours. The outcome of this election will determine the future political direction of Guinea-Bissau, a nation that has struggled with governance challenges and military intervention since its independence from Portugal in 1974.
In the face of uncertainty, the international community is watching closely, hoping that the election results will bring stability to this politically volatile nation.
