In Guinea-Bissau, a major civil society coalition has raised strong objections to the invitation of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló as a special guest for Senegal’s 65th independence anniversary.

The group, known as the Space for the Concertation of Civil Society Organizations, addressed a letter to Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, expressing concern over what they described as a breach of democratic values.

According to the coalition, which comprises over 50 organizations, Embaló’s term officially ended on February 27, 2025, and he no longer holds a legitimate mandate to represent Guinea-Bissau.

They accused the president of deliberately delaying presidential elections in violation of constitutional provisions and warned that his continued representation risks undermining democratic norms and straining bilateral relations.

The group urged President Faye to reconsider actions that might legitimize unconstitutional governance and fuel political tension in the subregion.