Guinea-Bissau Soldiers Declare Military Coup, Ousting President Umaro Sissoco Embaló After National Elections and Reports of Gunfire Near Presidential Palace.

Guinea-Bissau’s military orchestrated a coup d’état, resulting in the ousting of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and the suspension of the electoral process following national elections held three days prior. Armed confrontations were reported near the presidential palace, prompting military intervention. In a state television announcement, military leaders proclaimed they had “assumed full powers of the state” and established the “High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order.” They proceeded to suspend all governmental institutions, close borders, and enforce a curfew, justifying their actions by alleging a conspiracy among politicians and drug traffickers to manipulate election results.

President Embaló, in office since 2020, confirmed his removal and reported a peaceful arrest by the army chief of staff, despite both he and opposition candidate Fernando Dias having claimed victory in the November 23 elections. The coup has sparked widespread international condemnation, with organizations like the United Nations, African Union, and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) urging a return to constitutional governance. Portugal also called for an immediate cessation of violence and for the electoral process to be reinstated.

This coup highlights a troubling trend in West Africa, where military takeovers have become increasingly common, following similar incidents in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso since 2020. The situation in Guinea-Bissau remains precarious, with global powers monitoring the unfolding events closely.