Guinea-Bissau’s ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has rejected a decision by the country’s military authorities barring him from returning home, deepening a political crisis nearly a year after the armed forces seized power.
The military leadership said security conditions were not suitable for Embaló’s return and cited concerns over national security and public order.
Embaló, who has been living abroad since his removal from power in November 2025, had announced plans to return to Guinea-Bissau on October 4 and contest presidential elections scheduled for December 6.
Speaking from abroad, the former president challenged the military authorities’ decision and maintained that he remained entitled to participate in the country’s political process.
He has said he intends to run in the December election and called on judicial authorities to assess his candidacy impartially.
The military’s refusal to allow Embaló back into the country marks a significant escalation in the political standoff that began after the disputed November 2025 presidential election.
Military officers seized power on November 26, three days after the vote and shortly before provisional election results were due to be announced.
Both Embaló and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, claimed victory in the election, but the electoral process was suspended before official results could be declared.
The armed forces subsequently installed Gen. Horta Inta-a as transitional president and initially announced a one-year transition period.
Embaló left Guinea-Bissau following the takeover, travelling first to Senegal before moving elsewhere abroad.
His planned return had raised expectations of a renewed confrontation over the country’s political future, particularly after military authorities scheduled presidential and legislative elections for December 6.
The situation has become more complicated following constitutional changes approved in an August referendum. The new constitution expands presidential powers and alters electoral rules, including provisions governing eligibility for presidential candidates.
It remains unclear how the new rules could affect Embaló’s attempt to return to office.
The November takeover drew condemnation from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, as well as the African Union, which called for the restoration of constitutional order and completion of the interrupted electoral process.
Opposition figures have meanwhile disputed the circumstances surrounding the coup. Dias and some other critics alleged that the military takeover was staged to prevent the publication of election results, an accusation that has not been independently established.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced repeated coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, with the military playing a persistent role in the country’s political life.
The latest confrontation leaves Embaló’s political future uncertain as the military-led authorities move toward December’s planned elections.
Regional governments and ECOWAS are expected to remain closely involved as pressure grows on Guinea-Bissau’s military leadership to clarify the transition process and conditions for restoring civilian rule.
