Army seizes power in Guinea-Bissau, arrests president after election tensions

২৭ নভেম্বর ২০২৫, ১১:২২

Brig. Gen. Denis N'Canha, head of the military office of the presidency, at a news conference at the office of the General Staff of the Armed Forces on Wednesday © Getty Image

The military in Guinea-Bissau, a West African nation, has seized power amid heightened tensions over the presidential election results. The army has arrested the president and the main opposition leader.

On Wednesday (26 November), a faction of the armed forces announced the takeover through a televised address. They identified themselves as the "high military command" and declared their intention to restore law and order.

The officers suspended all electoral activities "until further notice" and imposed a nationwide curfew, while closing all air, sea and land borders.

Gunfire was heard near the presidential palace, home ministry and election commission headquarters earlier in the day, preceding the military's declaration.

The Sunday presidential poll pitted incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo against his main challenger, Domingos Simoes Pereira. Both claimed victory, with results due on Thursday (27 November). However, the army moved first.

In a phone call to AFP, President Embalo said: "I have been ousted. I am currently at the army's general staff headquarters."

Pereira, the opposition leader, has also been detained. The coup is led by Brigadier General Denis Embalo N'Kanha, head of the presidential guard, who was responsible for the president's security.

Guinea-Bissau gained independence from Portugal in 1974. Since then, the country has witnessed multiple coups and attempted coups.