General Tomás Djassi arrived in Banjul on Monday for a four-day official visit to The Gambia. As the leader of Guinea-Bissau’s National Transition Council, he has held authority in the country since the military takeover of November 2025. His diplomatic mission follows an announcement from the Guinea-Bissau administration confirming that the nation will not hold elections as scheduled to return to civilian rule. Officials stated the delay, despite prior commitments to democratic transition, necessitates new security discussions with regional partners. General Tomás Djassi remains in Banjul to conduct meetings regarding these developments throughout his stay.
Postponement of National Elections
Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau and the electoral commission issued a formal statement on 6 December regarding the status of the upcoming electoral process. Both bodies declared that necessary conditions were not in place to hold the polls as originally planned. This assessment served as the primary justification for the current indefinite suspension of the democratic transition. Government officials confirmed that the decision remains in effect for the entire country. The electoral commission provided no new date for when these requirements might be met or when citizens could expect to cast their ballots. Administrative representatives currently maintain that the logistical and political environment prevents the immediate execution of the national vote. General Tomás Djassi continues to discuss these specific domestic constraints during his ongoing diplomatic mission in Banjul.
Regional Reactions and Diplomatic Silence
The Gambia government has maintained silence regarding the decision by authorities in Guinea-Bissau to postpone national elections. Official channels in Banjul have not issued a public statement addressing the indefinite suspension or the diplomatic mission currently led by General Tomás Djassi.
Regional bodies have expressed concerns regarding political stability in the area. ECOWAS previously warned against prolonged military rule in the sub-region. The organization maintains its stance that member states must adhere to transition timelines to restore constitutional order. Representatives from ECOWAS have not offered specific feedback on the recent announcement from Guinea-Bissau. The current lack of a formal response from The Gambia reflects a broader pattern of caution among neighboring nations as they monitor the domestic situation in Guinea-Bissau. Officials continue to observe these developments from their respective capitals without engaging in direct public commentary on the electoral delay.