Military takes over in Guinea Bissau, suspends electoral process
By Ndukaku Ihe
Military authorities in Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday announced that they had assumed full control of the government of the country, ordering the suspension of all electoral processes and the immediate closure of national borders.
The declaration came just three days after the country held its presidential and legislative elections, deepening uncertainty in the politically fragile West African country.
The takeover followed reports of heavy gunfire around the presidential palace in Bissau earlier in the day. Witnesses said soldiers in uniform blocked and secured the main access road leading to the palace, prompting widespread tension and fear among residents.
Senior military officers delivered the announcement from the army headquarters in the capital, where they read a formal statement confirming the assumption of power and detailing initial measures under their control.
The situation remains fluid as the population awaits further communication from the military leadership.
Spokesman for the Military, Dinis N’Tchama said in a statement that, “the High Military Command for the reestablishment of national and public order decides to immediately depose the President of the Republic, to suspend, until new orders, all of the institutions of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.”
He said the coup was in reaction to “the discovery of an ongoing plan” aiming to destabilize the country, adding that “domestic and foreign nationals” attempted to “manipulate electoral results to implement this plan.”
The soldiers said they are immediately suspending the current electoral process and the activities of media outlets, as well as closing all borders.
The presidential and legislative elections were held last Sunday.
Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa each claimed victory Tuesday, even though official provisional results are not expected until Thursday.
Agency reports say that the West African nation in the past has seen four coups and numerous attempted ones since independence, including one reported last month.
Gunfire was heard Wednesday around noon near the presidential palace in Guinea-Bissau ’s capital.
The Associated Press (AP) reports that roads leading to the presidential palace were closed, with checkpoints manned by heavily armed and masked soldiers.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said witnesses in Bissau heard gunfire at around 13:00 GMT on Wednesday but it was not immediately clear who was involved in the shooting or if there were any casualties.
Hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles fled, seeking shelter as the shots rang out, the AFP news agency reported.
Later on, army officers made an address on state TV, saying they had formed “the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and would be in charge of the West African nation until further notice.
The soldiers instructed the population to “remain calm”.
Guinea-Bissau, with a population of just under two million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The former Portuguese colony has seen nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.
There have been two attempts to overthrow Embalo, the latest in December 2023.
