Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi were among African leaders trapped in Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday after the country’s military announced a coup. The leaders, in the country as election observers, were reported safe in their hotel rooms, but flights in and out of the nation were suspended.
The military, speaking through spokesperson Diniz N’Tchama on state television, declared that it had deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, suspended the electoral process, closed borders, and imposed a curfew. The officers announced the formation of “The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” to govern the country until further notice. Embalo later confirmed to France 24 that he had been deposed, though it was unclear whether he had been detained.
Gunfire was reported near the National Electoral Commission, the presidential palace, and the interior ministry ahead of the scheduled announcement of provisional election results from Sunday’s presidential vote. Embalo faced challenger Fernando Dias, with both sides claiming victory in the first round.
Guinea-Bissau has a history of political instability, having experienced at least nine coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The military justified its takeover by citing an alleged plan by “certain national politicians” and drug barons to destabilize the country and manipulate election results.
In response, election observers from the African Union, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum condemned the coup and the arrests of electoral officials. Their joint statement urged the immediate release of detained officials and called on regional organizations to restore constitutional order, emphasizing that voting had been conducted peacefully.
