Guinea-Bissau Elections Face Delay

Guinea-Bissau's planned presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for December 6, could be delayed after Prime Minister Ilídio Vieira Té said the conditions necessary to hold the polls had not been met. Following a meeting with transitional President and junta leader General Horta N'Tam, Té said political parties were not adequately prepared to contest the elections and that several needed to renew their leadership structures. The National Electoral Commission also warned that organising the polls on the scheduled date would not be technically feasible, although no formal postponement has been announced. The elections form part of a 12-month transition programme introduced after the military seized power on November 26, 2025, just days after presidential and legislative elections were held but before their results were declared. The takeover halted the electoral process and led the junta to schedule new elections for December 2026. Political tensions have since intensified, particularly after the authorities barred former president Umaro Sissoco Embaló from returning from exile earlier this month, citing national security and public order concerns. Embaló had intended to contest the presidential election. The junta has also faced opposition over constitutional changes approved in an August 30 referendum that strengthen presidential powers and alter the country's political and electoral framework. With no new election date announced, uncertainty remains over the country's political transition and the restoration of civilian democratic rule.