Guinea-Bissau set to hold general elections on December 6

Guinea-Bissau's junta announced on Wednesday that presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for December 6, 2023.

According to a decree read by junta leader General Horta N'Tam, all conditions for organizing free, fair, and transparent elections have been met. This announcement follows a transitional charter published earlier in December, which prohibits N'Tam from running for election.

In November, shortly after Guinea-Bissau conducted a presidential election, the military overthrew President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who was seeking a second term, leading to a suspension of the electoral process. Subsequently, N'Tam, a close associate of Embalo, was appointed as the transitional leader. The junta stated that its actions were intended to prevent conflict between supporters of rival candidates.

The election announcement follows a visit to Bissau by an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mission, led by Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The leaders engaged with the junta and emphasized the need for a brief, structured, and transparent transition. They also called for the release of political opponents, including key opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira, who were detained on the day of the coup.

Based on reporting by Africanews.