Fernando DiasHe is widely viewed as a leading contender in the presidential race Guinea BissauAnd the president’s team, Amr Sissoko EmbaloHe announced his victory in the elections, before the official results were announced. Each claims to have received more than half the votes.
The various statements could increase tensions in the West African country, which is historically prone to coupsThis came after Sunday’s vote, in which the party that led the struggle for Portuguese independence was excluded and announced its support for Dias, for the first time.
If neither candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, there will be a second round.
“We won the presidential race. We will not hold a second round,” Dias said on Monday at his campaign headquarters in the capital, Bissau. “My people were very tired and needed a change at the head of the state.”
However, Oscar Barbosa, Embalo’s campaign spokesman, said in a press conference that Embalo was the winner and that there would be no need for a second round. He added: “We urge our opponents not to announce any results that would cast doubt on the electoral process.”
Dias, 47 years old, gained more power after receiving support from former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira.
Embalo, 53, is a former army general trying to become the country’s first president in three decades to win re-election. Analysts expected a fierce conflict between Embalo and Dias.
More than 65% of voters went to the polls on Sunday, and preliminary results are expected to be announced on Thursday, according to Idrissa Diallo, spokesman for the National Electoral Commission.