UMARO SISSOCO EMBALO

Umaro Sissoco Embaló was born on September 23, 1972, in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. He has an impressive academic background, holding a degree in international relations from the Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences at the Technical University of Lisbon, alongside a Master's degree in political science and a doctorate in international relations from the Complutense University of Madrid. Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, Embaló also possesses skills in English, French, Arabic, and Swahili.

Embaló's career began in the military, where he rose to the rank of brigadier-general. His studies in national defense were extensive, including training in Spain, Belgium, Israel, South Africa, Japan, and France. Before entering politics, he specialized in African and Middle-Eastern affairs, focusing on defense, international cooperation, and development. He served as the Minister of African Affairs prior to his premiership.

On November 18, 2016, Embaló was appointed Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau by President José Mário Vaz. However, his appointment came amid internal party tensions within the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), which had expressed distrust towards him. As Prime Minister, he managed to form a cabinet with limited support, primarily from the Social Renovation Party. Despite his efforts, disagreements with President Vaz led to his resignation, effective January 16, 2018.

In the 2019 presidential elections, Embaló ran as the candidate of Madem G15 and finished second in the first round with 27% of the vote. He subsequently won the runoff against Domingos Simões Pereira, although the election results were contested. Despite lacking official approval from the supreme court and parliament, Embaló organized his own swearing-in ceremony, declaring himself the legal president of Guinea-Bissau. This move drew accusations of a coup d'état, although the outgoing president had stepped down to facilitate the transition.

Embaló's presidency is characterized by what he describes as "Embaloism," emphasizing order, discipline, and development. He has taken a strong stance against corruption, implementing measures such as installing CCTV cameras nationwide and pursuing legal action against officials accused of misconduct. His administration has seen the withdrawal of Economic Community of West African States troops and efforts to re-establish diplomatic relations, including a visit from the Portuguese government after a 30-year hiatus.

In February 2022, an attempted coup was made against Embaló, which he described as a failed attack on democracy. The following year, he dissolved the parliament, citing unresolvable conflicts. He also expressed support for Israel during the Israel–Hamas war in March 2024, reaffirming his country's solidarity.

On September 11, 2024, Embaló announced he would not seek re-election in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for November 2025, marking a significant moment in his political journey.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umaro_Sissoco_Embal%C3%B3