Bissau, Guinea-Bissau — November 26, 2025
Guinea-Bissau has plunged into yet another chapter of political turmoil after a group of senior military officers announced they had seized power, suspended the ongoing electoral process, and removed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló from office.
The dramatic takeover unfolded on Wednesday morning as bursts of gunfire echoed across the capital, sending residents fleeing from key government districts. Military officers, appearing later on state television, declared they had assumed “total control of the nation” to, in their words, “restore stability and protect national sovereignty.”
The officers ordered an immediate closure of all land, sea, and air borders, imposed a nationwide curfew, and halted the release of results from the November 23 general elections — a crucial vote marred by tension and competing claims of victory.
A Contested Election Meets a Familiar Fate
The coup comes just days after both incumbent President Embaló and main opposition challenger Fernando Dias da Costa each claimed early leads in the presidential poll. Official results had not yet been published when gunfire erupted around the electoral commission headquarters.
Witnesses reported sustained exchanges near government buildings, including the presidential palace and interior ministry.
International media, including Reuters and AP, confirmed that Embaló told French reporters by phone: “I have been deposed.” His exact location remains unknown.
Military Justification: Accusations Without Evidence
In their statement, the officers accused unnamed “political actors, criminal networks, and foreign interests” of interfering in the voting process and attempting to destabilize the country. No evidence was presented. The claims mirror a pattern seen in previous coups in West Africa where militaries justify intervention on grounds of national security or electoral integrity.
A Nation Caught in a Cycle
Guinea-Bissau, though small in size, has endured extraordinary political volatility. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, the country has witnessed more than nine coups or attempted coups, becoming one of the most coup-prone nations in Africa.
This latest upheaval threatens to derail fragile democratic gains and raises fears of prolonged military rule — or renewed factional conflict within the security forces, which historically have lacked cohesion and loyalty to civilian institutions.
Regional and Global Concerns
The international community reacted swiftly:
United Nations expressed “deep concern” and urged restraint while calling for a return to constitutional order. Portugal, the former colonial power, demanded an end to violence and a resumption of vote counting. ECOWAS is reportedly monitoring the situation but has not yet issued a formal statement — significant given the bloc’s recent challenges with coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger.
Analysts warn that instability in Guinea-Bissau, a known transit hub for narcotics trafficking between Latin America and Europe, could destabilize further if political uncertainty expands or security structures fracture.
What Happens Next?
With borders sealed, institutions dissolved, and the election suspended indefinitely, the immediate future remains uncertain. It is unclear whether the military intends to appoint a transitional authority, call fresh elections, or consolidate control.
For now, Bissau remains tense, with soldiers deployed across major intersections and public spaces. Residents report staying indoors as shops shutter and movement restrictions tighten.
As the dust settles, Guinea-Bissau once again finds itself at a familiar crossroads — with its democratic aspirations overshadowed by the unyielding shadow of the barracks.
