Guinea-Bissau has entered a critical period as campaigning for the 2025 presidential election got underway on November 1. The poll, scheduled for November 23, will be the first since independence in 1974 to go ahead without the participation of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), the country’s dominant opposition force.
The absence of the PAIGC has heightened political tensions in a country long affected by coups and fragile governance. Allegations of attempted power seizures and divisions within state institutions have added to the sense of uncertainty as candidates take their messages across the nation.
Analysts say the election will serve as a test of Guinea-Bissau’s democratic stability. Civil society groups are calling for calm, urging citizens to engage peacefully in the process and safeguard the country’s democratic gains.
Nkanande Ka, Spokesperson for the civic and political movement Frente Popular said that the election marks a defining chapter for the nation.
“This election is not only about choosing a leader, but also about shaping the direction Guinea-Bissau will take in the years ahead,” Ka said. “For the first time in decades, new political voices are emerging to challenge the old order. It’s a moment for citizens to take charge of their future.”
Ka also cautioned that the current political environment remains delicate.
“It’s essential that the campaign is peaceful and transparent,” he noted. “Guinea-Bissau cannot afford another period of instability. Our institutions must serve the people, not political interests.”
–ChannelAfrica–
