Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appeared on state television Wednesday claiming they had seized control of the country, following reports of gunfire near the presidential palace just three days after national elections. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló told French media he had been deposed and detained.

The military said it acted to restore “national and public order,” suspending the president and all government institutions until further notice. Spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama cited the “discovery of an ongoing plan” to manipulate election results involving some politicians, a notorious drug lord, and domestic and foreign actors, without providing further details. The soldiers also suspended the electoral process, closed borders, and restricted media activity.

Gunfire was reported near the palace Wednesday midday. Roads leading to the complex were blocked by heavily armed, masked soldiers, and officials said armed men attempted to attack the building, leading to clashes with palace guards. Gunshots were also heard near the National Electoral Commission, whose chief was arrested, and the commission’s offices sealed.

Both Embaló and his rival Fernando Dias, as well as opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira, were detained. Embaló, who assumed office in February 2020, faced a legitimacy dispute over his term, with the opposition claiming it expired in February 2025, though the Supreme Court extended it to September.

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The U.N. expressed deep concern and called for restraint and respect for the rule of law. Election observers from the African Union and ECOWAS denounced the military action as an attempt to disrupt the democratic process and demanded a return to constitutional order and the immediate release of election officials.

Civil society groups accused Embaló and the military of orchestrating a “simulated coup” to block the release of election results and maintain power, potentially allowing Embaló to organize fresh elections in which he could run again.

Guinea-Bissau is the latest West African nation to experience political instability. Since 2020, military takeovers have occurred in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Gabon, often justified by promises to improve security or combat corruption.

Source: AP