In brief
In a dramatic turn of events, military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced the arrest of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, interrupting the presidential electoral process following gunfire reported in the capital, Bissau. The military declared they were acting to prevent a supposed conspiracy involving drug trafficking elements, enforcing a night-time curfew and closing borders. They promised to restore order and urged calm among the populace amidst fears of escalating unrest.
A group of military officers has announced their control over Guinea-Bissau, following reports that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was detained. Gunshots were heard in the capital, Bissau, as government sources confirmed the president's arrest.
The military officers appeared on state television, stating they had suspended the electoral process, which was ongoing as the nation awaited the Sunday election results. They claimed to be acting against a plot by unnamed politicians, allegedly linked to a known drug baron, aimed at destabilizing the country. In response to these developments, the military has imposed a night-time curfew and closed the country's borders.
Guinea-Bissau has long been viewed as a hub for drug trafficking, bordered by Senegal and Guinea, and has witnessed multiple coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The latest electoral results were anticipated on Thursday, with Embaló and his rival Fernando Dias claiming victory amidst the chaos.
In a phone call to France 24 just before his reported detainment, Embaló acknowledged his ousting. The military has detained other notable figures, including Dias and Pereira, a former Prime Minister who was disqualified from participating in the elections. Military sources also reportedly took custody of the army chief and his deputy, indicating a deepening crisis.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire around 13:00 GMT, prompting hundreds to flee in vehicles and on foot, seeking refuge from the violence. Military personnel later declared the establishment of a 'High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,' requesting citizens to remain calm as the streets emptied in anticipation of the curfew.
Portugal's government has condemned the coup, urging a return to constitutional order and calling for restraint from all involved parties. Following a pattern of instability, this latest coup raises alarm about the future governance and stability of Guinea-Bissau, a nation frequently embroiled in political turmoil.
