Guinea-Bissau's Embalo faces rising social discontent

Significance

However, this occurs amid a wave of public sector unrest over salary arrears, pay rates and working conditions, including a major health workers strike. Meanwhile, as he navigates this crisis, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is pursuing efforts to secure the loyalty of a military with a long history of coups.

Impacts

• Embalo’s combative diplomatic style is unlikely to endear him to his regional and international counterparts.
• Embalo's rapprochement with the military and appointment of loyalists is likely to mitigate the risk of a coup.
• Embalo will pursue efforts to change the constitution to favour a more centralised presidential system.