Guinea-Bissau: Umaro Sissoco Embalo begins his tour of friendly countries in Senegal

Text by: RFI Follow

Umaro Sissoco Embalo started on Tuesday March 10 at the end of the afternoon a regional tour, in Senegal, before Niger and Nigeria. Whoever presents himself as “elected president of Guinea-Bissau” after the presidential election at the end of December remains disputed by the camp of his PAIGC rival, Domingos Simões Pereira, who has brought several appeals before the Supreme Court.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac

After having organized his inauguration on February 27 in a hotel in Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo moved to the presidential palace and appointed his own government. His opponents denounce a “ coup de force ”, and a policy of the fait accompli, while the electoral dispute is not settled. In this showdown, Umaro Sissoco Embalo counts on its support in the region.

President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau is on a friendly visit to Senegal.
Arrived in Dakar on Tuesday, he was greeted, with honors, by the President @Macky_Sall. pic.twitter.com/VMsXtAI86d

First stage: Dakar. Umaro Sissoco Embalo, greeted by President Macky Sall, described as "big brother", asks neighboring Senegal to be the "spokesperson" for Guinea Bissau. The two men have known each other for a long time. Senegal has repeatedly congratulated Umaro Sissoco Embalo. His ambassador in Bissau was also present during his inauguration ceremony.

Guinea (Conakry) and Côte d'Ivoire on the side of “ detractors ”

In Niger, an appointment is made with President Mahamadou Issoufou. In a speech Monday in front of the ECOWAS Parliament, the Nigerian head of state, president in office of the organization, addressed his " congratulations to the winner " even without mentioning the name of Umaro Sissoco Embalo. It is also, for him, a recognition. Ditto from Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria, the last stop on this tour.

1st official visit to # Senegal, brother and friend country.
I thank President @Macky_Sall for his warm and fraternal welcome. pic.twitter.com/dWYczqDn9c

But this showdown in Guinea-Bissau is also played out within the ECOWAS. The Umaro Sissoco Embalo camp openly accuses Guinea (Conakry) and Côte d'Ivoire of taking a position in favor of its detractors.

In its latest press release, the West African organization says "it cannot recognize bodies created and installed outside the constitutional and legal frameworks ". For both sides, diplomatic support could help move the lines.

In the meantime, we learned Tuesday evening of the departure of Bissau from the special representative of the ECOWAS. His office reports " an absence ", without further details. He had been the target of sharp criticisms of the government appointed by Umaro Sissoco Embalo, while addressing the “ Prime Minister Aristides Gomes ”, dismissed by the new authorities, but which claims its legitimacy.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• Guinea-Bissau
• Senegal
• Diplomacy
• Umaro Sissoco Embalo

On the same subject

Guinea-Bissau: the imbroglio continues at the head of the country

Guinea-Bissau: officials caught between two governments

Guinea-Bissau sinks a little deeper into the post-electoral crisis