President of Guinea-Bissau Dissolves Government

The small West African nation of Guinea-Bissau has consistently struggled with post-independence political instability. (Wikimedia Commons)

President of Guinea-Bissau Jose Mario Vaz dissolved his government on October 28 and replaced former-Prime Minister Aristides Gomes with Faustino Fudut Imbali. "[T]he country's [sic] is in a serious political crisis and the normal performance of institution [sic] is at stake," announced Vaz. This move took place amid political uncertainty and instability in light of the upcoming November 24 elections.

Vaz came to power in 2014 as the candidate for the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). While violence has been minimal during his term, government dissolutions have been relatively frequent. The government under Gomes was the third to be dissolved in two years. 

The situation is compounded by Guinea-Bissau’s current circumstances. President Vaz’s term technically ended on June 23; however, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mediated negotiations which gave Vaz the power to serve as interim president until the November 24 elections. Shortly before the ECOWAS decision, the legislature voted to remove Vaz after the conclusion of his term due to conflicts between Vaz and the PAIGC. This confusion has made the chain of command in the government unclear. Despite being fired by Vaz, Gomes has rejected the dissolution and intends to keep working. He offered the brief comment that “I am in my office, working.”

While this high stakes blame game takes place among the nation’s leading politicians, many citizens are upset by perceived election irregularities, including the alleged inclusion of 25,000 new and unexplained voters into the voter rolls.

Guinea-Bissau’s government was also accused of drug trafficking. The opposition spokesperson, Joaquim Batista Correia said, “It is not permissible for a government with many situations involving drug trafficking to organize elections.” Vaz rejects those accusations and claims that past governments, headed by Gomes, were actually at fault.

Recently, Gomes accused former PM and current presidential candidate Umaro Sissoco Embaló of attempting to lead a coup before the election.

In the middle of this political uncertainty, ECOWAS has committed more troops to Guinea-Bissau ahead of the election, and the international community has expressed concern about the recent developments.