In a dramatic turn of events, Guinea-Bissau’s military has appointed General Horta Nta Na Man as the transitional president following a swift coup that ousted civilian leadership. The military intervention occurred just a day before the provisional results of a closely contested presidential election were expected to be announced.
The army, operating under the banner of the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” stated that it acted to eliminate a destabilization plan allegedly involving politicians and drug traffickers. This announcement, made in a televised address, marks the ninth coup in West and Central Africa within five years, highlighting a worrying trend of instability in the region.
Military Control and Political Unrest
In a brief ceremony, General Nta Na Man was sworn in while dressed in military uniform, with several military officials in attendance. The army has indicated that Nta will lead the country for a period of one year. The coup comes on the heels of a tense election campaign, where President Umaro Sissoco Embalo faced significant opposition from political newcomer Fernando Dias, who had emerged as a strong contender.
Eyewitness accounts reported gunfire in the capital, Bissau, near key government buildings prior to the coup announcement. Following the takeover, President Embalo stated to French media that he had been deposed, but the military has not confirmed his current status or location.
In response to the coup, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the chairman of the African Union, condemned the action and called for the immediate release of Embalo and any other officials detained during the upheaval. Leaders of the regional bloc ECOWAS have echoed these sentiments, expressing concern over the reported arrests of senior officials and electoral personnel.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Tensions
Despite the lifting of an overnight curfew, central Bissau remained quiet on the following day, with military personnel patrolling the streets and many residents choosing to stay indoors. Businesses and banks remained closed, indicating a city on edge.
Fernando Dias has accused Embalo of orchestrating a “false coup attempt” to undermine the election process due to fears of losing. His coalition demanded that electoral authorities be permitted to announce the results from the presidential election held on March 3, 2024. The coalition also called for the release of former prime minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, who was reportedly detained on the same day as the coup.
As tensions escalated, security forces reportedly used tear gas to disperse a small protest outside the building where Pereira was detained. Witnesses also described live rounds being fired during gatherings near Dias’s residence, though no casualties have been reported from the unrest.
Guinea-Bissau, a small coastal nation situated between Senegal and Guinea, has earned a reputation as a significant transit point for cocaine destined for Europe. The country has experienced numerous coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Under Embalo’s leadership, the cocaine trade reportedly flourished, exacerbating the challenges facing the nation.
As the situation continues to develop, election observers from both the African Union and ECOWAS have expressed “deep concern” regarding the military’s actions, calling for the immediate release of officials involved in the electoral process. The fate of the country’s political future hangs in the balance as the international community watches closely.
