Friday September 1, 2023, I received the "WTF news" of the moment.
Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of the country, decreed, under articles 68 and 70 of the Constitution, the appointment of a “Particular” chief of staff as advisor to the Presidency of the Republic. I would like to point out that there already exists a Chief of Staff named Biague Na N'tam who has neither resigned nor been fired by the President!
I'll start with the easiest one, what do these two articles say on which the PR's decision is based?
I also invite you to download the “constituição da GB” application made by a young Guinean in Portuguese for those who can read it: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sad.constituicao.guineense
Translation by Google sorry:
Article 68:
“The functions of the President of the Republic are:
a) Represent the Guinean State;
b) Defend the Constitution of the Republic;
c) Send a message to the Nation and the National Assembly;
d) Extraordinarily convene the National People's Assembly whenever compelling reasons of public interest justify it;
e) Ratify international treaties;
f) Set the date of elections for the President of the Republic, deputies to the National People's Assembly and heads of local authorities, in accordance with the law;
g) Appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister, taking into account the electoral results and after having heard the political forces represented in the National People's Assembly;
h) Sworn in by the Prime Minister;
i) Appoint and dismiss the remaining members of the Government, on the proposal of the Prime Minister, and entrust them with their functions;
j) Create and abolish ministries and state secretariats, on the proposal of the Prime Minister;
l) Preside over the Council of State;
m) Chair the Council of Ministers, when deemed necessary;
n) Swear in the judges of the Supreme Court of Justice;
o) Appoint and dismiss, upon proposal from the Government, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces;
p) Appoint and dismiss, after consultation with the government, the Attorney General of the Republic;
q) Appoint and dismiss ambassadors, after consultation with the government;
r) Accredit foreign ambassadors;
s) Promulgate laws, executive orders and decrees;
t) Penalties of pardon and commutation;
u) Declare war and make peace, in accordance with Article 85, paragraph 1, subparagraph), of the Constitution;
v) Declare a state of siege and emergency, in accordance with article 85, paragraph 1, paragraph i), of the Constitution;
x) Grant honorary titles and state decorations;
z) Exercise other functions assigned to him by the Constitution and the law.”
The part that interests us is paragraph z) Exercise other functions assigned to it by the Constitution and the law.
How practical... so where is the mention in the law that allows you to appoint a Chief of Staff to the presidency? Still waiting...
Article 70: “In the exercise of his functions, the President of the Republic issues presidential decrees”.
Wow… We strongly feel the legal void behind these articles…
So I had the same reaction as many commentators on social networks:
This man is looking for a coup full on!!
After inventing the unconstitutional position of Deputy Prime Minister and the transformation of the Prime Minister and his former Minister of Foreign Affairs into Presidential advisors (now also their salaries eh) how many other decisions by decree without sharing or discussion, our dear President decides to stand up and create a military post without head or tail, without legislative support.
Unfortunately, I cannot give you the details that I do not have on the deterioration of the relationship between the Chief of Staff Biagué Na N'tam and the President but it is clear that the military leader has in a way or another helped the President settle into power in 2020 before the official proclamation of the presidential results. #CoupdEtat .
From the surface of this affair, I want to shout my shame to these two men!
As much as we were used to the President's escapades, I don't understand this General Horta Inta-a. This man, Balanta moreover, is either a complete sellout in everyone's eyes and that should revolt any Bissau-Guinean citizen OR a genius who, because of his allegiance to the Balanta tribe, risks turning against the President. #CoupISaid
In the case that he is under Sissoco's orders, he will fuel EVEN MORE this tribalist distrust towards the Balanta in the army, and create a division in his own community.
Some tell me that there will be no division because, I quote:
“The more power they have, the better it is for them.”
It's unfortunate, but I almost wish for this division in the community so that we can finally exclude the rotten fruit. As a Balanta by my mother but aware of the role that I wish to play throughout Guinea-Bissau, I would like the Balanta to do the cleaning. Well-ordered charity begins with oneself.
It is time for direct actions, a revoultion of the competent for good and justice and not to fill our bellies by allowing drugs to pass through the country. Because yes, very few drugs are consumed by the population (at least little flour) but the armed forces have the right to control and pass over everything that enters and leaves the country. There is no smoke without fire, Guinea-Bissau is not called a “narco-state” for nothing and the Balanta armed community has its responsibility in this matter...
The recent examples of sovereignist/anti-imperialist coups in the sub-region should inspire us, Bissau-Guineans of all ethnicities, to prepare our country on the path to transparency and justice since we still have the chance not to be plagued by terrorism.
The Guinétopia minute:
In addition to the complete rewriting of the constitution BY THE PEOPLE, the analysis of the laws and rules in place by the people too, I would like to find a way to completely reform the police and army forces by firing everyone and only reinstating those who really fit for the saying “serve and protect” by implementing extensive psychological, moral and mentality tests, tax declarations and the controls that go with them.