Guinea-Bissau was plunged into fresh political turmoil on Wednesday following a military coup that ousted the government and suspended electoral activities. Gunfire erupted near the presidential palace and electoral commission headquarters, lasting approximately an hour, as soldiers blocked major routes and announced they had taken control of the country. Borders were immediately shut, and a night-time curfew was imposed.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, leading the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, was among the dignitaries stranded in the country following the sudden seizure of power. He, along with his delegation including former UN envoy Mohamed Chambas, later departed safely on a special flight. Jonathan, joined by Filipe Nyusi (Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission) and Issifu Kamara (Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission), issued a joint statement condemning the takeover as a direct attempt to derail the country’s electoral process and undermine the will of the people.

The military, initially through General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, declared that a command composed of all branches of the armed forces was taking over leadership. On Thursday, General Horta N’Tam, previously head of the presidential guard, was swiftly sworn in as Guinea-Bissau’s new head of state, named transitional president for a one-year period. This occurred a day before the planned release of results from Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections.

The coup resulted in the detention of several key figures. Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was removed from power and held by the army at its staff headquarters, reportedly “well-treated.” His main rival, Fernando Dias, who also claimed victory in the undeclared election results, was detained along with former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira (supporter of Dias and disqualified from running) and Interior Minister Botché Candé. Army chief Gen Biague Na Ntan and his deputy Gen Mamadou Touré were also reportedly detained.

The military justified their actions, stating they were acting to foil a plot involving unnamed politicians backed by a “well-known drug baron.” However, civil society groups and Fernando Dias accused outgoing President Embaló of orchestrating a “simulated coup” with military assistance, aiming to halt the release of election results in case he lost. Embaló has not responded publicly to these allegations.

The international community reacted with widespread condemnation. The Federal Government of Nigeria, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed profound dismay, stating the action constituted an unconstitutional change of government and violated the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. The African Union Chair, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of Embaló and other detained officials, emphasizing the need to respect the electoral process and constitutional order. Ghana also expressed “deep dissatisfaction”, while Portugal called for an immediate return to constitutional governance.

In response, the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) of ECOWAS announced the suspension of Guinea-Bissau from all decision-making bodies until constitutional order is restored. By Thursday, the country’s borders had reportedly reopened, though the political crisis continues.

This coup marks another chapter in Guinea-Bissau’s long history of instability since independence from Portugal in 1974. The nation has experienced at least nine coups or attempted coups, driven by power struggles between military and civilian leaders, weak state institutions, and factional politics. President Embaló, 53, had hoped to become the first president in three decades to win a second consecutive term, despite opposition figures questioning his legitimacy and arguing his term officially ended in February 2025. The main opposition party, PAIGC, was disqualified from participating in the elections, a move observers believe was politically motivated. Guinea-Bissau remains one of the world’s poorest nations and is widely known as a “narco-state”, serving as a major hub for cocaine trafficking from Latin America to Europe.