BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Soldiers appeared on state television Wednesday announcing they had seized power, after gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, three days following national elections. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló told French media he had been deposed and arrested.
“The High Military Command for the reestablishment of national and public order decides to immediately depose the president of the republic, to suspend, until new orders, all of the institutions of the republic of Guinea-Bissau,” military spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama said, accusing unnamed politicians, a “well-known drug lord” and domestic and foreign nationals of plotting to manipulate the vote. He gave no details. The soldiers said they were suspending the electoral process and media activities and closing all borders.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced multiple coups and attempted coups since independence and has become a transit hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe. The presidential and legislative votes were held Sunday; both incumbent Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa claimed victory Tuesday, though provisional results were not due until Thursday.
Gunfire was heard near the presidential palace midday Wednesday. An Associated Press journalist saw roads to the palace blocked and checkpoints manned by heavily armed, masked soldiers. A palace official said armed men tried to attack the building, prompting an exchange of fire with guards. Another Interior Ministry official reported shots near the National Electoral Commission. Both spoke on condition of anonymity.
An international election observer said the election commission chief was arrested and the commission’s office sealed by the military. The observer added that the president had been telling people he was being held by the military. Jeune Afrique quoted Embaló as saying he was arrested in what he called a coup led by the army chief of staff and that he had not been subjected to violence.
Embaló has faced a legitimacy dispute: the constitution sets a five-year presidential term. He first took office in February 2020; the opposition argues his term ended Feb. 27, while the Supreme Court ruled it should last until Sept. 4. The recent presidential vote had been delayed until this month.
The U.N. said it was following events “with deep concern.” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres appealed to stakeholders to exercise restraint and respect the rule of law, his spokesperson said. The African Union and ECOWAS observer missions condemned what they called a “blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process,” urged a return to constitutional order and demanded the immediate release of detained election officials.
The civil society coalition Popular Front accused Embaló and the army of staging a “simulated coup” to prevent publication of results and retain power. Observers noted the move appears aimed at blocking electoral results scheduled for Nov. 27; the group claimed Embaló planned to appoint a new president and interim prime minister, then call fresh elections in which he might run again.
West Africa has seen a string of coups since 2020. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are now ruled by military leaders who justified their seizures by promising improved security. In neighboring Guinea, a 2021 coup brought Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya to power. Gabon’s 2023 mutiny led to a junta leader winning an election in April.