This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
Guinea-Bissau is facing a deepening crisis after President Jose Mario Vaz fired Prime Minister Aristides Gomes on Monday, citing the need to restore normal operations of state institutions.
However, Gomes has refused to step down, insisting that the sacking order is illegitimate since the President's term technically expires on June 23.
According to Reuters, the President's decision was made in response to the current political situation, which he believes is undermining the normal operations of state institutions.
But Gomes has rejected the move, saying: “I am in my office, working.”
The President had named Faustino Fudut Imbali as the new Prime Minister and dissolved the government, but Gomes remains in office, sparking a bitter power struggle between Vaz and the ruling party.
The next presidential election is scheduled for November 24, and Vaz will be seeking to retain his seat as an independent candidate, after falling out with the African Party of the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) after sacking his Prime Minister in 2015.
Guinea-Bissau has a history of instability, with nine coups and attempted coups since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
Reuters also reported a surge in cocaine trafficking from South America linked to senior military officials, but the country has been peaceful since Vaz came to power in 2014.
During the weekend, demonstrations from a party opposed to Gomes's government took to the streets in the capital Bissau, demanding the election be postponed so that voter lists could be checked for irregularities.
One protester died on Saturday and several were wounded.
