A West African delegation sent to mediate Guinea-Bissau’s election dispute has departed abruptly after threats from President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
The mission, organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aimed to ease tensions surrounding the official end of Embaló’s presidential term.
Opposition leaders argue that Embaló’s mandate, which began in 2020, should have concluded last week, while the Supreme Court ruled it ends on September 4.
Last month, Embaló announced that presidential and parliamentary elections will take place on November 30, further intensifying the political standoff.
ECOWAS, the region’s top political and economic authority, deployed its mission from February 21 to February 28 alongside the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel.
The delegation hoped to broker an agreement on election timing but left on Saturday after Embaló’s warnings heightened concerns about the security of mediators.
Guinea-Bissau, a nation scarred by coups since its independence from Portugal over 50 years ago, now faces renewed fears of political unrest.
Embaló, who claims to have survived two coup attempts, dissolved the opposition-led parliament in December 2023 after a deadly clash between the national and presidential guards.
He accused lawmakers of inaction following the shootout, an event that deepened the nation’s ongoing political crisis.
Last week, Embaló met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to explore economic and security ties as Russia strengthens its influence in Africa.
Moscow’s growing presence in the region has challenged the traditional roles of France and the United States as security partners.
With ECOWAS withdrawing and political uncertainty mounting, Guinea-Bissau’s path to a peaceful election remains unclear.