A faction of military officers has announced their takeover of Guinea-Bissau, following reports of the arrest of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The events unfolded after gunfire was reported in the capital city, Bissau, leading to government sources confirming the president’s detention.
In a televised address, the military declared the suspension of the electoral process as the nation awaited results from Sunday’s presidential election. They cited a need to counter a purported plot by unnamed political figures allegedly backed by a well-known drug lord to destabilize the country. To enforce this control, the military announced the closure of borders and imposed a night-time curfew.
Details of the coup and its implications
Guinea-Bissau, strategically located between Senegal and Guinea, has a history of political instability, with the military playing a significant role since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The results of the presidential election were expected on Thursday, with both Embaló and his main opponent, Fernando Dias, claiming victory. Dias had the support of former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira, who had been barred from running.
In a phone call to France 24, Embaló stated, “I have been deposed.” Recent reports indicate that Dias, Pereira, and Interior Minister Botché Candé have also been arrested. Additionally, military sources revealed that army chief Gen. Biague Na Ntan and his deputy, Gen. Mamadou Touré, have been detained by the coup leaders.
The impact on citizens and international response
Witnesses in Bissau reported hearing gunfire around 13:00 GMT, causing panic among residents, many of whom fled in search of safety. General Denis N’Canha, head of the military’s household at the presidential palace, issued a statement confirming the military’s takeover and urged citizens to remain calm.
In the aftermath of the coup, checkpoints were established across Bissau, and streets grew deserted ahead of the curfew, scheduled to begin at 19:00 GMT. The Portuguese government has called for a swift return to constitutional order, urging all parties involved to avoid any acts of institutional or civic violence.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced nine coups or attempted coups over the past fifty years, with Embaló himself claiming to have survived several attempts on his rule. Critics, however, accuse him of fabricating crises to suppress dissent. Notably, he is the only elected president in the nation’s history to complete a full term. Although he initially indicated he would not run for a second term, the legitimacy of his presidency has come under scrutiny, with opposition groups arguing his tenure should have officially concluded in February 2025.
As one of the poorest countries globally, Guinea-Bissau, home to a population of just under two million, has been labeled a “narco-state” due to its status as a critical transit point for cocaine smuggled from Latin America to Europe. Its vast coastline, dotted with uninhabited islands, has made it an attractive route for drug traffickers.