Gambiaj.com – (BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau) – As Guinea-Bissau’s electoral process moves forward with the official draw for candidates and political parties on the November 23 ballot, two major opposition coalitions excluded from the race have accused the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) of acting “in bad faith” to serve political interests.
In a strongly worded open letter released on Tuesday, the PAI–Terra Ranka (PAI-TR) coalition and the Inclusive Patriotic Alliance Cabas Garandi (API-CG) charged that the STJ has engaged in a pattern of “discriminatory decisions” and “denial of justice,” undermining public confidence in the judiciary and jeopardizing the legitimacy of the upcoming vote.
“Unfortunately, this doubt has taken hold in the minds of many Guineans,” the letter reads. “If at the beginning of this process there was a feeling that the STJ’s aberrant decisions could be a mistake, the persistence in discriminating against candidates can only deserve one interpretation: that they are acting in bad faith, likely to fulfill someone’s political agenda.”
The two coalitions said their coalition agreements were arbitrarily rejected by the STJ on procedural grounds, despite being filed within the time frame allowed by law.
They further alleged that the candidacy of Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), was never properly reviewed or formally ruled upon by the Court’s plenary.
Calling recent STJ press briefings “an extraordinary juggling act,” the coalitions accused the Court of bypassing due process and warned that its conduct “mortally wounds the credibility of the electoral process and strikes at the heart of democracy and the rule of law.”
Despite their exclusion, the opposition groups appealed to the justices to “act with impartiality and a sense of justice,” reminding them that “history will judge” their actions. They also called on all candidates to embrace “dialogue as the only way to peacefully resolve this situation” and ensure that elections remain “free, fair, and inclusive.”
Electoral Process Moves Ahead
While the opposition’s protest letter fueled tensions, the National Elections Commission (CNE) pressed ahead with preparations for next month’s polls, holding a public draw on Tuesday to determine the order of candidates and parties on the ballot.
José Mário Vaz, the candidate supported by the Convergence for Freedom and Development of Guinea-Bissau (COLIDE-GB), secured the first position on the presidential ballot.
He will be followed by Mamadu Iaia Djaló, Herculano Armando Bequinsa, Fernando Dias da Costa, João de Deus Mendes, Honório Augusto Lopes, João Bernardo Vieira, Gabriel Fernandes Indi, Mario da Silva Junior, Baciro Dja, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and Siga Batista.
At the party level, the United Social Democratic Party (PUSD) took the top slot, followed by the Patriotic Front for National Salvation (FREPASNA), National Unity Movement for the Development of Guinea-Bissau (MUNDO GB), and several others. The Civic Organization for Democracy–Renewed Hope (OCD-ER) occupies the final position.
The CNE also inaugurated its non-permanent members, representing candidates and political parties, ahead of the ballot draw.
CNE President M’pabi Cabi described the ongoing process as “short but full of formal demands,” urging all political actors to uphold national unity and democratic integrity.
“It is fair to recognize the ideological and political perceptions of each of us,” Cabi said. “However, we must bring to our consciences the idea that as a nation, we must be one and indivisible to safeguard the collective interests of all Guineans in consolidating pluralist democracy, lasting peace, and sustainable development.”
Despite growing political friction, the CNE maintains that preparations for the November 23 general elections are on schedule.
