Guinea-Bissau: The purge of ministers close to Umaro Sissoco Embalo continues

Umaro Sissoco Embalo

Former President Umaro Sissoco Embalo finds himself at the center of a deepening political crisis in Guinea-Bissau, despite having declared his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election on December 6. His recent attempt to return to Bissau was thwarted by the ruling junta, an action that directly preceded the dismissals of his close allies from key government positions. This sequence of events suggests a deliberate strategy to neutralize his political influence and prevent him from effectively campaigning or challenging the current transitional authority.

The dismissal of General Mamasaliu Embalo, his younger brother, from the Interior Ministry, and Virginia Maria da Cruz Godinho Pires Correia, a reputed close associate, from the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, represents a direct targeting of his political network. These actions effectively dismantle his support base within the transitional government, further isolating him and weakening any potential leverage he might have had in the lead-up to the elections. The strategic nature of these portfolios underscores the junta's intent to control critical sectors of governance.

Horta N'tam

General Horta N'tam, as the president of the ruling junta, has demonstrated his firm grip on power by issuing the presidential decrees that led to these ministerial dismissals. His actions underscore the junta's willingness to use executive authority to reshape the political landscape in Guinea-Bissau. The timing of these decrees, coming shortly after Embalo was prevented from re-entering the country, suggests a coordinated effort to consolidate control and eliminate potential opposition ahead of the promised return to constitutional rule.

The strategic importance of the portfolios targeted in the purge—Interior and Fisheries—cannot be overstated. The Interior Ministry is crucial for maintaining security and overseeing electoral processes, making it a vital position for influencing the upcoming elections. The Ministry of Fisheries, representing over 5% of the GDP, is a pillar of the Bissau-Guinean economy, and controlling it allows the junta to exert significant economic influence. Placing loyalists in these roles ensures that both the political transition and economic levers remain firmly within the junta's sphere of influence.

Ilídio Vieira Té

The ongoing institutional recomposition in Guinea-Bissau appears to be increasingly centered around transitional Prime Minister Ilídio Vieira Té, alongside General Tomas Djassi, the chief of staff of the armed forces. The article explicitly identifies these two figures as central to the current political shifts, indicating a new power axis forming within the transitional government. The appointment of Fidelis Forbs, previously an advisor to Prime Minister Té, to the Fisheries portfolio further solidifies Té's influence and expands his network within the government.

This consolidation of power around Ilídio Vieira Té and General Tomas Djassi suggests a deliberate strategy to build a new political establishment that may favor candidates aligned with the current transitional leadership. Such a move could significantly impact the fairness and transparency of the upcoming presidential election, potentially raising questions about the true nature of the promised return to constitutional rule. The purge of Embalo's allies and the elevation of figures close to Té indicate a concerted effort to shape the post-junta political landscape to their advantage.