Guinea-Bissau has been plunged into a severe political crisis after a faction of the military announced it had taken control of the country, just one day before provisional presidential election results were due to be announced.
Military Announces Takeover on State TV
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, a group of army officers appeared on national television to declare they had seized total control of the West African nation. Reading a statement, spokesperson Diniz N’Tchama announced that the group, calling itself the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, had deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and suspended all institutions of the republic.
The military command immediately ordered the closure of all borders, suspended media activities, and brought the ongoing electoral process to a complete halt. N’Tchama justified the drastic move by claiming the discovery of a conspiracy involving certain national politicians and well-known drug traffickers to manipulate the election results and destabilize the country.
Gunfire and Presidential Ouster
The capital city was thrown into chaos as the coup unfolded. Intense gunfire was reported for nearly an hour around key government buildings, including the presidential palace, the election commission, and the interior ministry. Panicked citizens fled the streets as the situation escalated.
Hours after the military's announcement, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló confirmed his removal from power in a statement to France 24, simply stating, “I have been deposed.” His whereabouts initially remained unclear, but a military source told AFP that the president had been arrested and was being held at the general-staff headquarters, where he was reportedly being "well-treated." The army has not publicly confirmed his detention.
A Nation Plagued by Political Instability
This latest upheaval is part of a long and troubled history of military interventions in Guinea-Bissau. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, the nation of two million people has witnessed at least nine coups or attempted coups.
The tension had been building following the presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday, November 23. Both the incumbent, President Embaló, and his main opposition challenger, Fernando Dias da Costa, had prematurely claimed victory, raising fears of a disputed outcome. A spokesperson for Embaló had even accused gunmen linked to Dias of attacking the election commission, though no evidence was provided for this claim.
Adding to the pre-election controversy was a dispute over Embaló's presidential term. While the opposition argued his mandate should have ended in February, the Supreme Court ruled it extended until September 4, leading to the eventual delay of the elections until November. Embaló himself had previously stated he survived three coup attempts during his tenure, highlighting the persistent volatility of the nation's political landscape.
It remains uncertain whether the entire military establishment supports this latest takeover, leaving the future of Guinea-Bissau hanging in the balance.
