Military officers in Guinea-Bissau have seized control of the government, detaining President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and suspending the electoral process amidst a disputed presidential election. The coup, announced on state television, has prompted international concern and calls for a return to constitutional order.
The takeover began on Wednesday when sustained gunfire was heard near key government buildings in the capital, Bissau. Witnesses reported chaos as people fled the area, and shortly after, soldiers appeared on state TV to declare the formation of the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order.” They cited a need to thwart a plot by politicians supported by a drug baron to destabilize the country, imposing a night-time curfew and closing all borders.
Leading the coup is General Denis N’Canha, who served as the head of the presidential guard, the very person entrusted with protecting the president. In addition to President Embaló, other high-profile figures detained include his main rival Fernando Dias, former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira, Interior Minister Botché Candé, and several senior military officials. This broad detention of political and military leaders underscores the coup’s comprehensive nature.
The military’s intervention comes just a day before the expected announcement of results from Sunday’s presidential vote, which had been marred by both candidates claiming victory without conclusive evidence. Embaló, seeking a second term after initially stating he would not run, and Dias had each declared wins, echoing the post-election crisis of 2019 that delayed Embaló’s inauguration. The legitimacy of the election was already questioned after the opposition PAIGC party was barred from running.
International observers from the African Union and ECOWAS expressed deep regret over the coup, noting that they had just met with the candidates who assured acceptance of the election outcome. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for restraint and respect for the rule of law, while Portugal, the former colonial power, urged all parties to avoid violence and allow institutions to function.
Guinea-Bissau has a long history of political instability, with at least nine coups or attempts since independence from Portugal in 1974. The country, one of the world’s poorest with over two million people, is also known as a hub for drug trafficking, with its coastline ideal for smuggling cocaine from Latin America to Europe, earning it the label “narco-state” from the UN.
In response to the coup, the military has erected checkpoints across Bissau, and there are reports of internet disruptions, adding to the tension in the city. The streets were deserted as residents complied with the curfew, which started at 19:00 GMT, highlighting the immediate impact on daily life and security.
The situation raises concerns about regional stability in West Africa, where several countries have experienced military takeovers in recent years. The future of Guinea-Bissau’s democracy hangs in the balance, with the military promising to restore order but no clear timeline for a return to civilian rule, leaving the international community to monitor developments closely.
