Guinea-Bissau's president stays in office beyond term.

Bissau, Guinea-Bissau — President Umaro Sissoco Embalo remained in office past the official end of his term at midnight on Thursday, prompting accusations from the opposition of an unconstitutional power grab and heightening fears of a renewed political crisis in the country.

Embalo, who has vowed to stay in office until presidential elections scheduled for November 23, is widely expected to seek a second term. His continued hold on power has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who have refused to recognize his legitimacy for months.

While Guinea-Bissau's constitution limits presidential terms to five years — with a maximum of two terms — there has been confusion over when Embalo’s current term should end. The opposition argues that it officially expired on February 27, but the country’s Supreme Court ruled that the term should run until September 4, due to delays in the electoral calendar.

Political analysts warn that the ongoing impasse could plunge the fragile West African state into further instability. Guinea-Bissau has experienced a string of coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, and the current crisis is reviving concerns over democratic backsliding.

Compounding the turmoil, parliamentary elections have yet to be held following the dissolution of the National Assembly in 2023. The absence of a functioning legislature has further weakened institutional checks on presidential power.

A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which visited the country in March in an effort to mediate the crisis, abruptly departed after claiming it was threatened with expulsion by Embalo’s government.

As tensions mount, the international community is closely watching developments in Guinea-Bissau, wary of the potential for unrest in a region already grappling with political instability.