Army officers in Guinea-Bissau said Wednesday they have seized power and taken control of state institutions, a day before the release of results from a closely contested presidential election.
In a televised statement, a group calling itself the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order said it had suspended the electoral process “until further notice” and ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders, as well as the imposition of a night-time curfew.
The announcement came hours after heavy gunfire was reported near the election commission headquarters, the presidential palace and the Interior Ministry in the capital, Bissau.
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló confirmed to France24 that he had been “deposed” and was being held at the military general staff headquarters. Regional sources told WAJ News that opposition figure Domingos Simões Pereira had also been arrested.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Senegal reported that Brig. Gen. Denis N’Canha — head of the presidential guard — is leading the takeover.
Disputed vote
The military move follows growing tension over Sunday’s presidential vote, in which both Embaló and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, separately claimed outright victory ahead of official results expected on Thursday.
Civil society groups had questioned the legitimacy of the polls after the PAIGC, historically the country’s strongest political party, was barred from fielding a candidate.
Guinea-Bissau, a nation frequently shaken by coups since its independence from Portugal in 1974, experienced a similar post-election standoff in 2019, when both leading candidates claimed victory.
Regional, international reaction
Observer missions from ECOWAS and the African Union expressed “deep concern,” urging the military to release detainees and allow the electoral process to run its course.
“It is regrettable that this announcement came just hours after both candidates had assured us they would respect the will of the people,” the missions said in a joint statement.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also voiced concern, calling on all stakeholders to show restraint. Portugal urged all sides to refrain from violence and ensure state institutions can complete the election process.