Opposition leader and presidential candidate, Umaro Sissoco Embalo has on Thursday sworn himself in as President of Guinea-Bissau, declaring himself winner of the election, despite the Supreme Court considering to nullify the vote.
The election which took place on December 29, 2019, declared Embalo as the winner but the country's Supreme Court has ordered the electoral commission to fully audit the votes.
The call for the audit is because the runner-up, Domingos Simoes Pereira's party who holds the majority of seats in the parliament had on Wednesday filed a new complaint requesting the court to order a nationwide re-vote over alleged electoral irregularities.
Embalo who vowed to break the decade long reign of the ruling party PAIGC said during his campaign.
During his swearing-in, he said, "I swear on my honour to defend the constitution, to respect it and have it respected."
"Today, a new era begins, a new hope for our country," he added.
Jose Mario Vaz, outgoing President who handed over to Embalo, placing the presidential stash on Embalo congratulated him.
(Reuters)
