Military officers in Guinea-Bissau have announced that they are now in full control of the country, marking another power struggle in a nation long troubled by coups. The officers made the declaration on Wednesday, three days after general elections, saying the borders were closed and the electoral process had been stopped.
Heavy gunfire was heard around the presidential palace early in the day as soldiers took over the main road leading to the building. Later, General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, appeared before reporters surrounded by armed troops and stated that a joint command of the armed forces had taken power “until further notice.”
It remains unclear what has happened to incumbent president Umaro Sissoco Embalo. A senior officer, who spoke anonymously, said the president was inside a building near military headquarters along with the interior minister and the chief of defence. There was still no confirmation of whether he had been detained.
Both Embalo and his rival, Fernando Dias, had already declared themselves winners of Sunday’s vote, with official results expected the next day.
Coup history returns
Guinea-Bissau has experienced several takeovers since independence, with four successful coups and multiple failed attempts recorded. N’Canha claimed the latest intervention was to block what he described as a plot involving drug traffickers aimed at disrupting the constitutional order. He said weapons had been smuggled into the country as part of the plan.
Along with the halt to elections, the military has suspended media broadcasts and imposed a curfew. The National Electoral Commission was also attacked by unknown gunmen, according to its spokesperson, Abdourahmane Djalo.
The conflict has raised fresh fears in a country already struggling with poverty, political rivalry and an increasing presence of drug cartels moving narcotics between Latin America and Europe.
Renewed uncertainty
More than 6,700 security personnel, including those from the ECOWAS Stabilisation Mission, had been deployed to maintain peace during and after the elections. The last major poll in 2019 ended in months of dispute after rival candidates claimed victory.
This year’s ballot had already generated tension after the Supreme Court removed PAIGC — the party that led the struggle for independence — from the list of approved candidates, citing late submission of documents. President Embalo had also dissolved parliament in 2023 and ruled by decree, a move the opposition says weakened democracy.
Opposition leaders insist Embalo’s mandate expired in February, and they accuse authorities of manipulating the process to stay in power.
With borders closed, elections suspended and soldiers now at the helm, Guinea-Bissau enters yet another period of uncertainty — with the world watching to see what comes next.
