Post by : Rameen Ariff

Guinea-Bissau faced a major political crisis on Wednesday after soldiers appeared on state television announcing that they had taken control of the country. The announcement came shortly after reports of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, Bissau, just three days after national elections were held.

Military Says President Removed

In the televised statement, military spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama said the army had decided to remove the president from power and suspend all state institutions until further notice. According to the military, the action was taken after discovering what they claimed was a plan to manipulate the election results. They accused local politicians, a well-known drug trafficker, and foreign nationals of being involved, but did not provide evidence.

The soldiers also declared an immediate suspension of the electoral process, stopped all media operations, and ordered the closure of all borders.

Gunfire Near Presidential Palace

Around midday, loud gunshots were heard near the presidential palace. Roads leading to the area were blocked by heavily armed soldiers wearing masks. Officials said a group of armed men tried to attack the presidential building, leading to an exchange of fire with security guards. Gunfire was also reported near the National Electoral Commission office.

Military forces later sealed off the commission’s headquarters and reportedly arrested its chief.

President Says He Has Been Arrested

The country’s president, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, said he had been detained by the military and confirmed that he had been deposed. He stated that he was not harmed. Embalo had already been facing a legitimacy dispute, with the opposition claiming that his term ended earlier this year and accusing him of staying in power illegally.

The constitution gives presidents a five-year term. Embalo took office in February 2020, and many opponents said his term should have ended in February 2025. However, a court decision extended it until September. The presidential election to choose his successor was only held this week.

Opposition Figures Also Detained

The military also arrested opposition candidate Fernando Dias and Domingos Simoes Pereira, a former prime minister and influential political leader. Pereira had been barred from contesting the election but had publicly supported Dias as the main challenger to Embalo.

Concerns From International Groups

International election observers and regional organisations strongly criticised the military’s actions. They warned that stopping the election results and detaining officials was an attempt to undermine the democratic process. They called for calm, respect for the rule of law, and the immediate release of those detained.

A civil society group in Guinea-Bissau blamed both the president and the army for what they described as a “simulated coup” aimed at blocking the publication of election results. They accused Embalo of trying to stay in power by delaying the release of the official tally.

Part of a Growing Trend in West Africa

Guinea-Bissau has a long history of coups and attempted coups. Since gaining independence, the country has experienced multiple takeovers and has also become a key transit point for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.

The latest incident adds to a growing list of coups in West and Central Africa in recent years. Since 2020, the governments of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Gabon have all been overthrown by military leaders.

As of now, the situation in Guinea-Bissau remains tense, with borders closed, elections halted, and the military holding control while citizens await clarity on the country’s future.

#world news #Global News