Guinea-Bissau was plunged into uncertainty on Wednesday after the military seized power, arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and abruptly halted the country’s electoral process, deepening the political instability that has long defined the small West African nation.
By Thursday morning, the armed forces announced that General Horta N’Tam, the army’s chief of staff, had been sworn in as interim leader for a one-year period, just hours after soldiers stormed key installations in the capital, Bissau, and declared “total control” of the state. The coup came only days after general elections for which provisional results had been expected, and in which Embaló was widely believed to be leading.
In Bissau, tension lingered in the air as soldiers patrolled the area surrounding the presidential palace, where bursts of heavy gunfire had shaken the city the previous day. Streets that were normally busy with traders, commuters, and motorcycle taxis became eerily quiet, with only a few residents seen walking cautiously along the main road leading to the palace. Witnesses described the atmosphere as “deeply unsettling,” marked by the presence of armoured military vehicles and heavily armed soldiers checking vehicles and pedestrians.
At military headquarters, the transition of authority unfolded swiftly. General Horta N’Tam stood before senior officers and AFP journalists to take the oath of office as the head of the High Command. Flanked by dozens of soldiers, he declared the military’s actions necessary to “block operations that aimed to threaten our democracy,” insisting that the decision to intervene was justified by what he described as “credible evidence” of deliberate plans to destabilise the nation. His appointment symbolised the consolidation of military control and signaled the suspension of all constitutional processes.
The coup leaders’ justification stemmed from allegations of a complex conspiracy involving “drug lords” and the introduction of illegal weapons into the country. General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, took the lead in communicating the military’s position to journalists.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, he claimed the armed forces had uncovered a plot intended to alter the constitutional order and jeopardise national stability. According to him, the situation necessitated decisive action “until further notice,” with the military assuming full leadership responsibilities.
As part of the sweeping measures announced, N’Canha said the entire electoral process had been halted, citing unspecified threats tied to the alleged conspiracy. The decision came just hours before the expected release of provisional election results — results that both Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had already prematurely claimed victory in. The military’s actions effectively cut off any prospect of a democratic resolution of the contested vote and plunged the political landscape into chaos.
In addition to suspending the electoral process, the military imposed a mandatory nationwide curfew and announced the closure of all land, air, and sea borders. The move was aimed at preventing what senior officers described as potential external interference or escape by individuals involved in the alleged destabilisation plot. However, the abrupt lockdown fueled anxiety among citizens, many of whom rushed to markets and shops attempting to buy essentials before curfew hours set in.
By Thursday, the military softened its stance slightly as General Lassana Mansali announced the reopening of the borders. He provided no detailed explanation for the reversal, but the decision was seen as an attempt to ease growing domestic tensions and signal some readiness to normalize movement. Still, many Guineans remained indoors, fearful of unpredictable clashes or further announcements from the transitional military authorities.
Confirmed reports indicated that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló had been arrested on Wednesday and was being held at the general staff headquarters. A military source claimed he was “well treated,” though independent verification of his condition or access to him remained impossible. Senior officials, including the chief of staff and the minister of the interior, were also reportedly detained as part of the military’s sweep.
Opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira, who had been barred by the Supreme Court from running in the presidential election, was also said to have been arrested, according to sources close to him. His detention raised further concerns about the military’s intentions and the extent to which political rivals were being targeted during the coup. The opaque nature of the arrests added to growing fears of a deepening authoritarian crackdown.
International responses were swift and strongly condemnatory. ECOWAS issued a sharply worded statement on Thursday, denouncing the coup and reiterating the regional bloc’s “strict zero-tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government.” The organisation’s chair called for an immediate return to constitutional order and demanded unfettered access to Embaló and other detained officials. With West Africa experiencing a troubling resurgence of coups in recent years, the ECOWAS response reflected urgent concern over yet another rupture in democratic governance.
The African Union echoed these sentiments, with AU chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf publicly calling for the “immediate and unconditional” release of Embaló. Youssouf described the events in Guinea-Bissau as “unacceptable” and urged all parties to uphold the rule of law. He emphasised the importance of political stability in a region already deeply affected by extremism, governance crises, and economic fragility.
The United Nations also voiced alarm, with Secretary-General António Guterres “following the situation with deep concern,” according to his spokesman. Guterres called for restraint, respect for human rights, and urgent efforts to restore constitutional governance. Meanwhile, Portugal — Guinea-Bissau’s former colonial ruler — urged calm and warned against any acts of political or civic violence, stressing the need for dialogue to ease mounting tensions.
One of the most troubling aspects of the military takeover was the suspension of all media programming, which created an immediate information blackout. Sadibou Marong, director of Reporters Without Borders’ Sub-Saharan Africa office, condemned the move as a “serious violation of the right to information.” He stressed that citizens “must be able to be informed about what is happening in the country, especially in this context of political crisis.” His remarks highlighted concerns that the military was attempting to control the narrative and suppress independent reporting.
Guinea-Bissau’s long and troubled history provided a sobering backdrop to the unfolding crisis. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, the country has experienced four successful coups and several attempted ones. Its chronic instability has earned it a reputation as one of the world’s most coup-prone states, often making it difficult for democratic institutions to take root or function effectively. The latest upheaval is seen by many analysts as a continuation of a decades-old cycle of political turbulence.
The country’s strategic yet vulnerable position has also made it a major hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe. Years of political instability have created an enabling environment for criminal networks, with senior political and military figures often suspected though rarely formally implicated in trafficking activities. This link between insecurity and illicit trade has long posed a threat to governance, transparency, and economic development in the nation.
Amid the current crisis, ordinary citizens find themselves grappling with uncertainty, fear, and a near-total lack of reliable information. With media operations suspended and movement restricted, many Guineans have resorted to word of mouth, messaging apps, and unverified online reports to piece together what is happening in their own country. Businesses have shuttered, schools have closed, and the streets of Bissau remain subdued as people wait anxiously for clarity on the future.
