Political situation in Guinea-Bissau

President may get rare re-election in Guinea-Bissau

On Sunday, the West African country of Guinea-Bissau goes to the polls to elect a president and parliament. President Umaro Sissoco Embalo aims to become the first leader in three decades to get a second term.

The country has been plagued by several military coups and attempted coups since independence from Portugal in 1974. The political situation in the country is still unstable. Embalo has banned the largest opposition party from the election due to a technicality.

His main challenger is expected to be Fernando Dias da Costa, a relatively unknown politician who is supported by former Prime Minister Simoes Pereira. Ten other candidates are participating in the election.

If no one gets a majority today, a second round of the presidential election will be held.

Experts: The country is not a real democracy

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo's decision to ban the opposition casts a long shadow over Sunday's election in Guinea-Bissau, several analysts say.

- Our democracy is not what it once was. We have a democratic model designed by a single person, analyst Augusto Nansambe tells AP.

According to Reuters, Guinea-Bissau is an important hub for cocaine smuggling from South America to Europe. Something that Embalo has promised to crack down on.

- I intend to vote for Embalo so that he can lead the crusade against corruption and drug trafficking, voter Saico Cande tells Reuters.