Guinea-Bissau's presidential election has taken a dramatic turn, with both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and challenger Fernando Dias claiming victory. The election, held on Sunday, November 23, saw a voter turnout of over 65%.
Embalo, a former army general, and Dias, a 47-year-old backed by former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, both declared they had won the election outright, eliminating the need for a runoff. Embalo's campaign spokesperson, Oscar Barbosa, stated that their candidate had exceeded the 50% threshold, while Dias told supporters in the capital Bissau that people were "tired" and wanted change.
The election has been marked by controversy, with the main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), being barred from fielding a candidate. The PAIGC had thrown its support behind Dias.
The national electoral commission is expected to announce provisional results on Thursday, with a runoff possible if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote.
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