### Political opposition in Guinea-Bissau: towards a meeting of forces for the future of the country
On April 27, 2025, a significant meeting was held in Paris, bringing together six Bissau-Guinean opposition leaders. While the country is at the crossroads, with a presidential election scheduled for November, these figure figures wished to assert their union in the face of a tense political situation. The controversial extension of the mandate of the current president, Umaro Sissoco Packo, acted as a catalyst for this gathering.
### Legitimacy of the power in question
Flavio Batica Ferreira, deputy of the African Party for the independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (Paigc), clearly expressed the feeling that the current presidential mandate has ended, leaving room only a disputed legitimacy. This debate on the legitimacy of institutions raises deep concerns: the National Assembly is inactive, the Supreme Court of Justice is without president and the National Elections Commission (CNE) has been declared decaduque for three years. This institutional vacuum hinders the possibility of a real democratic transition and raises the question of the country’s ability to organize credible and transparent elections.
### A political agreement under construction
Faced with this worrying painting, the meeting in Paris made it possible to lay the foundations for an “action plan” to restore the foundations of a constructive political dialogue. Although the elections have been the subject of discussions, Ferreira insists that they do not constitute the heart of their concerns. The priority therefore seems to be first to settle institutional dysfunctions before considering an election which could, in your words, “not be free, fair and transparent”.
This approach raises essential questions on the nature of political change in Guinea-Bissau. It would be appropriate to wonder how these opposition leaders plan to mobilize the international community in favor of internal reforms, and what specific measures could be envisaged to restore confidence in the country’s political institutions.
### to a united opposition?
One of the admitted objectives of this meeting is to show a united opposition which transcends partisan logics. This represents a major challenge, as political and social fractures are conspicuous in the Bissau-Guinean landscape. However, a united front could offer a certain force to attract the necessary attention and support of the international community.
To date, the fight against political fragmentation and divergent interests within the opposition will be crucial for the implementation of this action plan. What form will this unit take? Would it be able to withstand internal and external pressures? Political progress opportunities are often delicate to maneuver.
### What sustainability for the future?
If the desire for a change is widely shared, the question of its feasibility remains. How do these leaders intend to build a consensus around the actions to be taken? What are the expectations of the international community, which could play a decisive role in solving the institutional problems mentioned?
Far from being a simple formality, this quest for agreements and dialogues is an obligatory passage for Guinea-Bissau. The current situation calls for both a deep introspection and a projection towards a more stable future.
### Conclusion
The Paris meeting marks a significant step for the opposition in Guinea-Bissau, opening the way to a collective reflection on the political future of the country. As the date of the elections is getting closer, the challenge for this opposition will be to combine their efforts in order to reform failing institutions while offering a coherent and inclusive vision for the whole country. A sincere dialogue, supported by concrete actions, could thus become the foundation of a truly participative democracy, respected and recognized both at national and international level.