27/11/2025
A faction of military officers has seized power in Guinea-Bissau, reportedly arresting President Umaro Sissoco Embaló amid gunfire in the capital, Bissau. The officers declared on state television that they had halted the electoral process, coinciding with the anticipated results of a presidential election held on Sunday. They accused unnamed politicians, allegedly supported by a notorious drug trafficker, of plotting to destabilize the country. As part of their takeover, they instituted a nighttime curfew and closed the nation's borders.
Guinea-Bissau, located between Senegal and Guinea, has a history of coups and is notorious for drug trafficking problems. Both Embaló and his opponent, Fernando Dias, had declared victory in the election, with results expected shortly. After the coup, government sources reported that Dias, former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira (who had been disqualified), and Interior Minister Botché Candé were also arrested.
Furthermore, the army's chief and his deputy were detained. International election observer groups, such as the African Union and Ecowas, voiced serious concerns regarding the coup, noting that the electoral process had been conducted smoothly and peacefully, and that both presidential candidates had expressed a readiness to accept the election results.
Witnesses in Bissau reported gunfire around 1:00 PM GMT, but it was uncertain who was involved or if there were any injuries. Many individuals sought shelter, according to AFP. Subsequently, General Denis N'Canha declared a military takeover, announcing the establishment of "the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order" and urged the public to remain calm.
Checkpoints were established in Bissau, and the streets cleared in anticipation of a curfew set to begin at 7:00 PM GMT. Portugal called for a restoration of constitutional order, urging all groups to refrain from violence. Over the last 50 years, Guinea-Bissau has experienced at least nine coups or attempted coups.
President Embaló, who sought to be the first president in three decades to serve two consecutive terms, has claimed to have survived several coup attempts. Critics, however, argue that he has exaggerated threats to quash dissent. His legitimacy has been questioned, with the opposition asserting that his term should have concluded in February 2025.
Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest countries globally with a population of over two million, has uninhabited islands that attract drug traffickers. This has led the UN to classify it as a "narco-state" and a significant co***ne transit hub from Latin America to Europe.