The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, has promised to bring forward the legislative elections to November 24.

Embaló announced the decision at the airport as he was leaving for China, where he will be making a three-day visit.

He said that he will decide in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic, after consulting the political parties.

Embaló's announcement contradicted the opposition's expectations that presidential elections would be held this year. These, the Guinean president stressed, would not take place until 2025.

"The President's term is five years. Now if they want to shorten it by four years, fine. If I go to the elections now, I'll win them because these people are not fools," he said, noting the political parties' demand for presidential elections this year.

In this regard, President Embaló urged parties that do not agree with the electoral calendar to file an appeal with the Supreme Court of Justice. On the other hand, he also assured Guineans that there will never be another coup d'état in the country and that, if he ever leaves power, it will always be through the ballot box.