Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo 10th President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau since February 27, 2020 Date of Birth: 23.09.1972

Content:

1. Early Life and Education
2. Military Background
3. Political Career
4. Presidential Elections (2019-2020)
5. Presidency (2020-Present)
6. Attempted Coup (2022)

A Decade of Leadership: The Life and Presidency of Umaro Sissoco Embaló

Early Life and Education

Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the 10th President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, was born on September 23, 1972, in Bissau, Portuguese Guinea. He earned a degree in international relations from the Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences at the Technical University of Lisbon, a master's degree in political science, and a doctorate in international relations from the Complutense University of Madrid.

Military Background

Embalo served in the Guinea-Bissau military, training at the Centre for National Defense in Spain and later conducting research in national security in Brussels, Tel Aviv, Johannesburg, Japan, and Paris. He holds the rank of Brigadier General in the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau.

Political Career

Prime Ministership (2016-2018)

Embaló's political career took flight when he was appointed Prime Minister by President José Mário Vaz on November 18, 2016. He formed his cabinet on December 13, 2016. However, his premiership was met with boycotts from his own African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) party, which expressed no confidence in him through the Central Committee on November 26, 2016, with 112 against and 11 in favor.

Presidential Elections (2019-2020)

Embalo resigned as Prime Minister on January 16, 2018, following a conflict with President Vaz. He then ran for President in the 2019 Guinean-Bissauan presidential election, advancing to the second round with 27.65% of the vote in the first round. On December 29, 2019, he defeated former Prime Minister Simões Domingos Pereira in the second round, securing 53.55% of the vote.

Presidency (2020-Present)

Inauguration and Initial Challenges

Embalo was inaugurated as President of Guinea-Bissau on February 27, 2020, with Nuno Gomes Nabiam as Prime Minister. However, his inauguration faced delays and resistance from supporters of the incumbent government. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recognized Embalo as the legitimate President in late January 2020.

Attempted Coup (2022)

On February 1, 2022, a shooting incident occurred near the Palace of Government in Bissau. Government tanks entered the city, and Embalo declared that a coup attempt had been foiled. He stated that the attempt involved plans to assassinate him, Prime Minister Nabiam, and the cabinet and accused "people involved in drug trafficking" of being behind the operation.

Guinea-bissau

Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo

Raimundo Pereira