Guinea-Bissau’s president resigns one day into office for fear of his life

After barely 24 hours in power, Cipriano Cassamá has resigned as president of Guinea-Bissau. The politician recently made president after a disputed election in December according to the BBC said his life was in danger.

“Today my life’s in danger, my family’s life’s in danger, the population’s life’s in danger. That’s why I’ve decided to resign” media reports cite him.

Cipriano Cassamá was made president, even though former army general Umaro Cissoko Embaló had earlier been sworn in as president at a hotel in the capital, Bissau.

Currently on the streets of the capital the BBC notes, ministry buildings are closed and surrounded by armed guards, as the country lurches through a protracted crisis that some parliamentarians are calling a coup.

A truck of soldiers the BBC reveals are guarding the home of Aristides Gomes, one of two men laying claim to the post of prime minister in the West African country.Perched on their white truck, the soldiers’ have a mounted machine-gun pointed outward and at the ready the BBC adds.

The political crisis erupted after Guinea Bissau’s Ex-prime minister and military general Umaro Sissoco Embalo was declared winner of the country’s presidential election by the electoral commission.

The ruling party on its part rejected the results and challenged them in the Supreme Court.

Last week, Embalo reportedly swore himself in as president, while the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde which holds a majority of parliamentary seats installed its own president and prime minister.

MMI