URGENT UPDATE: A group of army officers has seized power in Guinea-Bissau, just hours before the electoral commission was set to announce results from a highly contested presidential election. The military action comes amid escalating tensions and gunfire reported near key government locations, including the presidential palace and electoral commission headquarters.
In a statement broadcast on state television, the officers declared they had deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, suspended the electoral process, closed the nation’s borders, and imposed a curfew. They established a new governing body called the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” to oversee the country until further notice.
Military spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama stated that their actions were a response to “the discovery of an ongoing plan” aimed at destabilizing the nation. He accused various “domestic and foreign citizens” of attempting to “manipulate electoral results” to further this agenda.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire that lasted for approximately an hour prior to the military announcement. While there are no confirmed reports of casualties, the situation remains tense as the country braces for potential fallout from this abrupt power shift.
The electoral commission was scheduled to announce provisional results from the October 2023 election, in which Embalo faced off against his main challenger, Fernando Dias. Both candidates had claimed victory following the initial round of voting, and Embalo was striving to become the first president in three decades to secure a second consecutive term.
In response to the military coup, a spokesperson for Embalo, Antonio Yaya Seidy, reported that unidentified gunmen had attacked the electoral commission in an attempt to prevent the announcement of the election results. Seidy alleged that these armed individuals were affiliated with Dias, although he did not provide supporting evidence.
Domingos Simoes Pereira, a former prime minister who lost to Embalo in a controversial runoff election in 2019, denied any connection between Dias and the attack. Pereira emphasized that Dias was safe and was meeting with election observers in Bissau when the gunfire erupted.
Guinea-Bissau has a troubled history, marked by over nine coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Embalo himself has stated that he has survived three coup attempts since taking office in early 2020. Critics of Embalo claim he has manufactured crises to justify crackdowns on dissent.
As this situation develops, it is crucial for international observers and citizens to stay informed about the unfolding events in Guinea-Bissau. The implications of this coup could have significant ramifications for the country’s stability and democratic processes.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to develop.
