Guinea-Bissau president resigns amid fears for his life

President Cipriano Cassamá - one of two men recently declared president of Guinea Bissau - resigned his office on Sunday after just one day in the role.

He cited fears for his safety as the reason for leaving the job . 

“I have no security… My life is in danger, the life of my family is in danger, the life of this people is in danger. I cannot accept that, that is why I took this decision”, Cassamá told reporters.

Despite not running in December’s presidential elections, Mr Cassamá was appointed to the position by parliament. The majority of MPs refuse to acknowledge the election victory of former opposition leader Umaro Sissoco Embalol. 

Mr Embabol was sworn into the presidency at a luxury hotel on Thursday, after the electoral commission had again declared him the winner of December’s vote. 

The ruling PAIGC party is contesting the decision in the country’s Supreme Court. 

Despite the resignation of President Cassamá, Guinea-Bissau still has two rival prime ministers. 

Photo: Dan Sanha