BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — In a rapid shift of power, military leaders in Guinea-Bissau announced on state television Wednesday that they have taken control of the government. This development follows reports of gunfire near the presidential palace and comes just days after national elections, during which the incumbent president claimed electoral victory.
Key Points / What’s New
- Military claims to have deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and suspended all government institutions.
- Reports indicate gunfire erupted near the presidential palace, leading to heightened security measures.
- The UN and African Union have expressed deep concern and called for a return to constitutional governance.
The Military Takeover
Spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama stated that the High Military Command acted to depose the president in response to an alleged plot aimed at manipulating the electoral process, involving both local politicians and a known drug lord. Following the announcement, the military ordered the suspension of elections and closed national borders.
On Wednesday, escalating tensions were evident as gunfire erupted near the presidential palace. Witnesses reported heavily armed soldiers establishing checkpoints leading to the palace. Reports emerged that armed individuals attempted to attack the palace, resulting in clashes with security personnel.
As the situation unfolded, representatives from an international election observer group noted that the election commission chief was arrested and the commission’s office was locked down by the military.
Statements from Key Figures
In a conversation with French media, President Embaló confirmed he had been deposed and described his arrest as non-violent, asserting he was in communication with the public about his circumstances. He emphasized the claims of a coup orchestrated by military leaders.
Embaló’s legitimacy was already a contentious issue, with opposition parties arguing that his presidential term had lapsed earlier this year. Though he initially rose to power in February 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of an extended term through September 2023.
Reactions from the International Community
The United Nations is closely monitoring the developments in Guinea-Bissau, with Secretary-General António Guterres urging all parties to uphold the rule of law. Similarly, joint statements from election observation missions of the African Union and ECOWAS condemned the military’s actions as an attempt to undermine democracy and demanded the release of detained electoral officials.
Meanwhile, the civil society group Popular Front accused both the president and the military of staging a “simulated coup” to delay the announcement of election results, alleging a strategy to maintain power amid a constitutional crisis.
Background
Guinea-Bissau has experienced a series of coups and power struggles since it gained independence, with this incident marking the most recent coup in a troubling trend across West Africa. The political landscape has been marred by violence and instability, particularly as neighboring countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have also succumbed to military rule under the pretext of enhancing national security against insurgencies.
The presidential elections were held on Sunday, and as political tensions rise, the implications of this coup could further entrench Guinea-Bissau’s legacy of political volatility.
