Guinea-Bissau has been plunged into turmoil after military officers announced they had taken control of the country in what appears to be another coup attempt, days after a fiercely disputed presidential election.
Soldiers reportedly surrounded key government buildings on Wednesday, closed the country’s borders, and declared that they were assuming power to “restore order” following what they claim was a plot by President Umaro Sissoco Embalo to manipulate election results. The military accused Embalo of conspiring with a “well-known drug baron” to destabilize the state, although no evidence was provided.
Local media outlet Jeune Afrique reported that Embalo was arrested in his office at the presidential palace during the takeover. Gunfire was heard near the palace and the electoral commission headquarters, and troops were seen taking up positions along the main road to the presidency.
A spokesperson for Embalo told Reuters that unidentified gunmen attacked the election commission to prevent the release of provisional results, alleging links to opposition candidate Fernando Dias but offering no proof.
Both Embalo and Dias declared victory after Sunday’s vote, each claiming to have secured more than 50% based on unofficial tallies. The official results were expected on Thursday. The election was largely peaceful, but controversy surrounded the absence of the main opposition party PAIGC and its candidate, Domingos Simoes Pereira, from the ballot.
The military announced on state television that it had suspended government institutions, the media, and the electoral process, imposed a curfew, shut down airspace and borders, and would remain in control until “constitutional order” is restored.
Guinea-Bissau has a long history of coups and political instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Embalo, who began his first term in 2020, has already survived several coup attempts and had hoped to become the first leader in decades to win reelection.
