Outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau has been arrested today and remains in military custody at army headquarters, where he receives good treatment, an army officer told AFP.
Military announces full control
A group of army officers declared earlier this afternoon that they hold full control of the country. They suspended the electoral process, closed borders, and imposed a curfew, one day before the announcement of provisional results from Sunday’s elections in this West African nation notorious for coups.
“They deposed me,” Embaló told France 24.
Another military source confirmed to AFP the president’s arrest, along with the chief of the general staff and the interior minister.
Gunfire near government buildings
Earlier today at midday, witnesses and media reported heavy gunfire near the national electoral commission headquarters, the presidential palace, and the interior ministry. Hundreds of people fled the area, seeking shelter.
Soldiers later seized the main road leading to the presidential palace. Troops from the presidential guard and an elite gendarmerie unit took control of the area early afternoon, AFP journalists observed.
Election tensions and historical context
The country awaited results from Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections. The fate of incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló remained uncertain, as both he and rival Fernando Dias claimed victory in the first round.
Guinea-Bissau has a history of political instability, with four successful coups and numerous attempts since independence in 1974.
The military made their announcement by reading a statement at army headquarters in the capital Bissau, AFP journalists in the city reported.
The self-styled High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order deposed President Embaló, arrested him without resistance around 13:00 GMT, and accused politicians and a drug baron of plotting to manipulate election results. Opposition leader Dias accused Embaló of staging the coup to cling to power, while ECOWAS and the African Union condemned the takeover and demanded a return to constitutional order.
🚨 ALERTE COUP D’ÉTAT EN GUINÉE-BISSAU
— Tribune Populaire🌐 (@TribunePop23) November 26, 2025
Le général Denis N’Canha annonce que l’armée a renversé le pouvoir en place et pris le contrôle du pays 🇬🇼.
Récapitulatif des déclarations et annonces :
– L'armée accuse des politiciens de comploter avec des « barons de la drogue » pour… pic.twitter.com/0e6uk6KvOE
Also read: Guinea-Bissau coup attempt: Soldiers seize control near presidential palace
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