A shocking turn of events has unfolded in Guinea-Bissau, a West African nation with a troubled history. An apparent coup has taken place, and an army general has seized power, raising questions and concerns about the country's future.
General Horta N'Tam, formerly the head of the presidential guard, was sworn in as the transitional president for a year. The ceremony, held at army headquarters, was brief and subdued, with N'Tam barely showing any emotion.
But here's where it gets controversial: some civil society groups are accusing outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of orchestrating a self-coup, claiming it was a ploy to prevent election results from being announced if he lost. The Popular Front, a civil society coalition, released a statement saying, "This maneuver aims to block the publication of the electoral results scheduled for tomorrow."
Embaló's closest rival, Fernando Dias, has also made similar claims. However, Embaló has remained silent on these allegations, despite his previous statements about surviving multiple coup attempts during his presidency.
The military's role in this crisis is significant. They have suspended the electoral process and blocked the release of the results from Sunday's presidential election. An anonymous military source has confirmed to AFP that Embaló is being held at army headquarters, where he is reportedly being treated well.
International reactions have been swift. The African Union's chair, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, demanded the immediate release of Embaló and all detained officials, reminding Guinea-Bissau's leaders of the importance of respecting the electoral process.
Guinea-Bissau, situated between Senegal and Guinea, has a long history of military influence since its independence from Portugal in 1974. It has witnessed at least nine coups or attempted coups in the last five decades, highlighting the instability in the region.
The latest coup attempt, on Wednesday, saw a group of military officers take control, with government sources confirming Embaló's arrest to the BBC. Gunshots were heard in the capital, Bissau, but the details remain unclear.
The officers then appeared on state TV, announcing the suspension of the electoral process and claiming to thwart a plot by unnamed politicians with the support of a drug baron. They imposed a curfew and closed the country's borders.
Both Embaló and his main challenger, Dias, had claimed victory in the election, with Dias receiving support from former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira, who was disqualified from running.
Embaló, in a phone call with France 24, confirmed his deposition. Government sources later revealed that Dias, Pereira, and Interior Minister Botché Candé were also detained. The putschists also took army chief Gen Biague Na Ntan and his deputy into custody.
The African Union and Ecowas election observation missions expressed deep concern over the coup, stating that the country was prepared for the announcement of election results after a peaceful process. They emphasized the candidates' willingness to accept the people's will.
Portugal, Guinea-Bissau's former colonial ruler, called for a return to constitutional order, urging all parties to avoid institutional and civic violence.
As of Thursday, Guinea-Bissau's borders have reopened, according to AFP. Embaló, 53, had hoped to make history by securing a second consecutive term, a rare feat in the country's recent history.
His legitimacy was questioned by the opposition, who argued his term should have ended in February 2025. Guinea-Bissau, with a population of over two million, is one of the poorest countries globally, and its coastline, with many uninhabited islands, has made it a hub for drug trafficking, earning it the label of a "narco-state."
This crisis in Guinea-Bissau raises important questions about the role of the military, the stability of the region, and the future of democracy in the country. What are your thoughts on this unfolding situation? Do you think the international community should intervene, or is this an internal matter for Guinea-Bissau to resolve?
