Guinea-Bissau’s military on Thursday announced Gen. Horta N’Ta as the head of a new junta, cementing a coup that followed the country’s tense presidential election earlier this week.

State television broadcast a declaration from the military high command confirming N’Ta, former army chief of staff and ally of deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, as leader of a one-year transitional government. Embaló’s whereabouts remained unknown Thursday after he told French media he was arrested by soldiers amid gunfire near the presidential palace.

Opposition figures claimed Embaló staged the coup to avoid an electoral defeat in Sunday’s closely contested vote. Fernando Dias, Embaló’s rival, said the military takeover was “fabricated” to disrupt election results, though AP could not independently verify his claims. The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde and Dias urged citizens to protest and demand the release of election results. Despite the call, Thursday morning in Bissau appeared calm, with businesses and public transport gradually resuming.

Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations, has faced repeated coups since independence from Portugal more than 50 years ago. Analysts say the country’s role as a drug trafficking hub has fueled political instability. Gunfire erupted in the capital Wednesday just days after the election, with both Embaló and Dias claiming victory.

In a familiar pattern in the region, military officers appeared on state television to announce they had seized power. Dias said he escaped custody “through a backdoor” and vowed to continue resisting. He accused Embaló of fabricating the coup to retain power after losing the vote.

Military spokespeople cited the “discovery of an ongoing plan… to manipulate electoral results,” involving national politicians, a known drug lord, and foreign nationals. Several countries and international bodies have condemned the coup, with the United Nations expressing “deep concern” over the unfolding situation.