Guinea-Bissau is locked in a fresh wave of political and diplomatic turbulence as extra-parliamentary opposition groups and regional disputes heap pressure on the country’s transitional leadership.
A coalition of political parties currently holding no seats in parliament has come out to fiercely contest the management of the transition process, accusing authorities of locking civil society out of drafting the new Constitution. Warning that the process lacks inclusivity, the group is demanding an immediate postponement of the constitutional referendum currently scheduled for August 30.
The internal friction comes as Guinea-Bissau’s foreign relations take a severe hit. The National Transition Council recently announced a practical freeze on diplomatic ties with Cape Verde, accusing the Cape Verdean government of blatant interference in Guinea-Bissau’s internal affairs. The sudden diplomatic fallout has raised serious concerns over regional stability and co-operation within the Lusophone bloc.
–ChannelAfrica–
