Bissau, July 7, 2025 (Lusa) - Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embaló flew to the United States on Monday in the hope of obtaining aid from the Trump administration for economic growth and the reopening of the embassy in Bissau, he told journalists.
“This is a very big door opening for us. Embalo said on departure from Bissau airport that Guinea-Bissau would become eligible for the MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) programme, referring to the US government programme to help African countries with economic growth.
The programme also helps African countries reduce poverty through infrastructure investment projects, support for the private sector and participatory governance.
US President Donald Trump will receive the Guinean president at the White House on Wednesday; the leaders of four other African countries will also attend the meeting.
Umaro Sissoco Embaló said that this was recognition by the United States of America of the current situation in Guinea-Bissau under his leadership.
“As I have always told you, Guinea-Bissau has emerged from a state of disorder to become a real state. The Americans extend invitations only to select individuals,” noted Sissoco Embaló, adding that the meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss concrete support for the country.
Embaló said that Guinea-Bissau could now pursue new opportunities after the “long” period since the previous “substantial support” from the United States of America, a situation he was discussing under former US President Joe Biden and which he will now resume with Donald Trump, he said.
He also stated that he would resume talks with the US administration on reopening the US embassy in Bissau, which the conflict in 1998 prompted officials to close.
Embaló noted that the United States requires enhanced security levels in countries where it establishes embassies, measures he said were already underway in Guinea-Bissau.
The Guinean president stated that he believed the United States would reopen its embassy in Bissau “soon.”
MB/ADB // ADB.
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