António Óscar Barbosa, commonly known by his nickname “Kankan,” is a prominent Bissau-Guinean politician and the primary spokesperson for the Madem G15 party. Throughout the chaotic election cycle of 2025, he served as the public face of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s re-election bid, famously declaring victory just hours before the military launched a coup to halt the electoral process.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | António Óscar Barbosa |
| Nickname | Kankan |
| Current Role | Spokesperson for the Embaló Campaign / Madem G15 |
| Political Party | Madem G15 (Movement for Democratic Alternation) |
| Former Office | Minister of Energy and Natural Resources (Sacked in 2011) |
| Current Status | At Liberty (Under travel restrictions in Bissau as of late 2025) |
Political Career and “Kankan’s” Rise
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Early Years: Barbosa has been a fixture in Bissau-Guinean politics for decades. He notably served as the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources under President Malam Bacai Sanhá but was abruptly sacked in 2011 during a period of cabinet instability.
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The Madem G15 Enforcer: He eventually joined the Madem G15 party, becoming a fierce defender of President Embaló. As the Director of Communication for the party, he earned a reputation for his combative press conferences, often dismissing opposition claims as “fallacious and irresponsible.”
The 2025 Election Standoff
During the November 2025 elections, Barbosa was at the center of the diplomatic and media firestorm.
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Declaration of Victory (Nov 25, 2025): Two days after the vote, and before any official results were released, Barbosa held a press conference in Bissau. He told international reporters (AFP/Al Jazeera) that internal data showed Embaló had won outright with over 50% of the vote.
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Famous Quote: “There won’t be a second round… the president will have a second mandate.” This statement, delivered alongside a similar victory claim from opposition leader Fernando Dias, is cited by analysts as the “tipping point” that prompted the military to intervene to prevent a civil uprising.
Post-Coup Status (December 2025)
Following the November 26 coup, Barbosa’s political standing changed overnight.
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Escape from Detention: Unlike President Embaló and Minister Botché Candé, Barbosa was not initially detained at the Presidential Palace. While he was sought by the military junta (High Military Command) for “inciting public disorder” through his victory announcement, he remained in hiding for the first week of December.
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Appearance in Bissau: By mid-December 2025, Barbosa re-emerged in Bissau. While he has not been imprisoned, the transitional government led by Horta Inta-A Na Man has placed him under court supervision. He is currently barred from leaving the country and is prohibited from holding political press conferences.
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Status of Madem G15: From his residence in Bissau, “Kankan” continues to act as a back-channel advisor to the remnants of the Madem G15 party, which has been effectively sidelined by the military-led transition.