Guinea Bissau Military Seizes Power, President Detained
Guinea Bissau has been thrown into political uncertainty after military officers announced they had taken control of the government and suspended the presidential election process. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who was seeking re-election, was detained along with several senior officials. Both Embaló and his main opponent, Fernando Dias, claimed victory in the recent elections even though official results had not been released. Each side asserted that their candidate had surpassed the 50 percent threshold required to avoid a run-off. The electoral commission is scheduled to release the official results on Thursday. Earlier this week, the government reported it had foiled an alleged coup attempt. Deputy Chief of Staff Mamadu Ture accused Brigadier-General Daba Nawalna of planning the plot, but details were scarce. On Wednesday, Embaló said he was arrested around 1 p.m. in his office at the presidential palace. Other senior officials detained include Biaguê Na Ntan, chief of staff of the armed forces, Botché Candé, the interior minister, and Ture. The coup leaders issued a statement saying the “High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order” was acting to neutralize a destabilization plot “put in place by certain national politicians with the participation of a well-known drug baron”. Borders were reportedly closed, a curfew imposed, and media operations temporarily restricted. The military said it would govern “until further notice” in the interest of national stability, leaving the fate of detained officials and the electoral process uncertain.
| 2025-11-27 07:23:58