Guinea-Bissau Soldiers Announce Seizure of Power After Reported Arrest of President Embaló

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have announced that they have taken control of the country, following reports that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has been arrested amid rising political tension.

Gunfire erupted in the capital city, Bissau, around 13:00 GMT on Wednesday, sending residents fleeing in panic.

AFP and BBC reports said hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles scrambled for safety as the shots rang out. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Government sources, shortly after the gunfire, said President Embaló had been detained. His arrest comes just three days after a tense presidential election in which the main opposition candidate was controversially disqualified. Although official results were expected on Thursday, both Embaló and his closest rival, Fernando Dias, had already declared victory, heightening uncertainty.

Hours after the unrest, a group of military officers appeared on state television to announce the formation of what they called “the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order.” They declared that they would take charge of governing the West African nation “until further notice” and urged citizens to remain calm.

Guinea-Bissau, a nation of fewer than two million people, has long been plagued by political instability. Since 1980, it has recorded nine coups or attempted coups. President Embaló himself has faced multiple threats to his rule, including two known coup attempts, the most recent occurring in December 2023.

The situation remains fluid, as Guinea-Bissau once again enters a period of uncertainty.