Guinea-Bissau plunged into another chapter of political chaos after the military suddenly ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, just before election results were to be announced.
Major-General Horta Inta-a was installed as the head of the transition, in a country with a long record of military coups. The coup ensued with speed, underlining the institutional fragility of a nation already burdened by criminal networks and years of factional tension.
Coup Framed as a Rescue Mission
The military leadership, which described itself as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” said the takeover had been done to save the state from a plot involving political actors and drug traffickers.
Inta-a, who appeared in full uniform during his first public address, declared the intervention was necessary to prevent what he described as an attempt at hijacking democracy. The junta announced a one-year transition period and later named Major-General Tomas Djassi as army chief of staff.
Regional Outcry & Diplomatic Scramble
Embalo was flown to Senegal under regional protection while the African Union and the ECOWAS swiftly condemned the coup and demanded his release. International partners, including the European Union, have called for the resumption of the vote tally without any interference.
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Meanwhile, Bissau remained tense, with soldiers on patrol, shuttered businesses and residents choosing to stay inside even after curfew ended.
Accusations, Confusion & Rising Suspicion
This political environment became increasingly tense when opposition candidate Fernando Dias accused Embalo of a fake coup attempt to avoid defeat at the ballot box. Supporters called for transparency and demanded the publication of the results.
Reports of arrests, tear gas and gunfire around homes and public buildings deepened the uncertainty, but there were no reports of fatalities.
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A Nation Entangled in the Cocaine Trade
Analysts say that the turmoil is unlikely to shake Guinea-Bissau from its entrenched position in the trans-Atlantic cocaine pipeline.
For years, drug money has shaped political alliances and experts contend traffickers continue to wield influence no matter which faction happens to be in office. Decades of coups and attempted coups have left little room for optimism about the country’s instability.
Observers Missing, Questions Mounting
International election observers, including those with ECOWAS and the African Union, reported detentions of officials overseeing the vote. The whereabouts of a number of observers, including Nigeria’s former president Goodluck Jonathan, remained unclear. Nigeria has demanded accountability and warned that harm to observers will carry consequences.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on verified developments and independent analysis. It is intended for informational purposes and does not endorse any political actor.
