Upon his return from COP28 in Dubai, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has dissolved the parliament in Guinea-Bissau, calling recent events an "attempted coup." New parliamentary elections are being considered, but the opposition, formerly the majority in parliament, is unlikely to favor this move.

"After this attempted coup, the normal functioning of the Republic's institutions has become impossible. These events confirm the existence of a serious political crisis," President Embaló said, expressing concerns about the regular operation of institutions, according to information reported by Agence France Presse (AFP).

 "Everything is fine in Bissau. Democratic achievements are respected and maintained," he wrote on X in the evening of December 4. The leader announced "serious consequences for all those involved" in the insecurity that ensued, attributing blame to members of the National Guard, supported by "political complicity." These decisions follow the attempted coup on December 1, 2023, during which gunfire exchanges occurred between the National Guard and the special forces of the presidential guard.

In addition to dissolving the government, Umaro Embaló, a former military officer, also reshuffled the cabinet. He now heads Defense and Territorial Administration, while Prime Minister Geraldo Martins will oversee finance. A new legislative election has been announced but is already strongly contested by the opposition, formerly the majority in the National Assembly.

Parliament President Domingos Simoes Pereira has labelled this dissolution a "constitutional coup," arguing that the constitution prohibits it within six months of the National Assembly's term. The arrival in power of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló marked Guinea-Bissau's first peaceful political transition. Despite recognizing the opponents' victory in the last legislative elections, observers remained vigilant about the sustainability of this cohabitation.

Let’s note that President Embaló paid a visit to the soldiers who regained control of the situation, wearing military attire.