Guinea Bissau President Sissoco Embal’o dissolves parliament, calls for elections

Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embal’o has dissolved his cabinet and parliament and called for elections.  According to the country’s constitution, the polls will take place within 90 days.

Two presidential decrees state that Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam and his deputy Soares Sambu will remain in office until the elections are held.

The decision to dissolve parliament was arrived at on Monday morning after President Embaló had a five-minute meeting with the Council of State.  

Last week, President Embaló expressed his intention to dissolve parliament after a meeting with its Speaker and representatives of the political parties.

After the parliament dissolution its permanent commission will assume its responsibilities until elections are held.

"After a meeting with the President, he informed me of his intentions to dissolve parliament after receiving complaints from the Judiciary. It seems there is a crisis among political parties," Speaker Cipriano Cassamá told journalists last week.