Guinea Bissau’s political crisis seems unending following the failure by the two presidential candidates to agree on the outcome of December’s election.
Cipriano Cassama resigned Sunday after serving just one full day as Guinea-Bissau’s interim president, saying his life and the stability of the country were in danger.
“An interim president needs to have all the security conditions to fulfill his duties,” Cassama who is the speaker of parliament, told reporters in the capital, Bissau. “Today my life’s in danger, my family’s life’s in danger, the life of the people is in danger. That’s why I’ve decided to resign.”
“I decided to take this decision to avoid confrontation between the forces on the other side and the forces that guard me, and also to avoid a civil war.” Cassamá told reporters.
While ex-prime minister and military general Umaro Sissoco Embalo was declared winner of the presidential election by the electoral commission, the ruling party rejected the results and challenged them at the Supreme Court.
Last week, Embalo swore himself in as president, while the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) which has a majority in parliament also installed a rival president and prime minister.
Despite not being in the December ballot, Cassamá was appointed by parliament, where the majority of lawmakers have refused to acknowledge Embalo’s victory.
Guinea-Bissau now still has two rival prime ministers.
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