By RFIPosted on 22-11-2019Modified on 22-11-2019 at 14:38

In recent weeks, the decision of President Vaz to change Prime Minister against the opinion of the ECOWAS had caused concern about the holding of this election. But the Guinea Bissau election commission ensures that all conditions are met for the vote, this Sunday, to run normally.

In Bissau, there are portraits of candidates everywhere on posters, on caps, on T-shirts. This Friday is still calm, but the militants are preparing for the last big meetings in the capital, this afternoon, with concerts and sound system. Trucks are already in town. This is the moment or never to convince for candidates in campaign since November 2nd.

There are twelve in the running. Among them, President José Mario Vaz , independent candidate. He was very little present in the capital. He beat campaign basically inside the country. The historical party, PAIGC, is accustomed to electoral campaigns with well-honed organization and communication in favor of Dominigos Ferreira and his eternal hat on his head. Other heavyweights, Umaro Sissoko Embalo, the candidate of Madem, the main opposition party in Parliament, who put on change on the theme "the PAIGC has ruled enough, it takes renewal", even if he himself is from this party.

The vigilance of Guinea-Bissau

In recent weeks, the Economic Community of West African States had punched the table and the international community had supported it to denounce the dismissal of Prime Minister Gomes by President Vaz. Finally, after the uncertainty of late October-early November on the holding of the elections, the ECOWAS was very clear on its roadmap, no question of postponing the poll. She brandished the threat of sanctions. For her, the appointment of a new government by the president was illegal and since, in fact, the prime minister appointed by José Mario Vaz has resigned while the army has remained outside political affairs.

For now, the situation seems to have calmed down. This election must be for the international community a new page after a series of coups, coup attempts since independence. ECOWAS dispatched some 70 observers, to which should be added those of the European Union, the African Union, the community of Portuguese-speaking countries and the United States. Finally, the security forces have already voted Thursday to allow them to secure the end of the campaign and the vote on Sunday.

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