Military coup in Guinea-Bissau

While the country awaited the results of the presidential and legislative elections held this weekend, the military announced that it had taken full control of Guinea-Bissau. The vote counting process has been suspended, and land, air, and sea borders have been closed. Outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo confirmed his removal from office by telephone and said he was “at headquarters,” detained but “well treated,” according to an army officer.

General Denis N'Canha, speaking on behalf of a high command for the restoration of order, justified the takeover by citing the need to guarantee national security. He also mentioned that intelligence services had uncovered a plan to destabilize the country, involving national figures involved in drug trafficking and the introduction of weapons intended to disrupt the constitutional order.

The post-election climate was particularly tense: both Embalo and his main opponent, Fernando Dias da Costa, had declared themselves winners in the first round, even though the official results were not due until tomorrow. Several major political figures, including Fernando Dias da Costa and Domingos Simoes Pereira, were arrested and taken to the Bissau air base, according to local sources.

In the capital, the day was marked by reduced traffic and apparent calm, contrasting with the crowd movements and gunfire near the presidential palace earlier in the day. A mandatory curfew has now been imposed by the military, who say they will remain in charge of the country until further notice. The country has already experienced several coups and numerous coup attempts since its independence. France 24

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