Coup de'tat
Soldiers in Guinea‑Bissau have declared full control of the country, suspending the electoral process and detaining President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. Gunfire erupted near the presidential palace and government offices, raising fears for the nation’s fragile democracy and sparking international concern.
Guinea‑Bissau was plunged into political chaos on 26 November 2025 as military officers announced they had assumed full control of the country, suspending the recent presidential and legislative elections. The move came just days after the vote, with both leading candidates claiming victory but official results still pending.
Gunfire was reported near key government sites, including the presidential palace, the National Electoral Commission headquarters and the Interior Ministry, as soldiers secured major roads and entrances. Witnesses described masked troops and a heavy armed presence, effectively sealing off the capital.
In a televised address, the military, calling itself the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, said it would suspend all government institutions, impose a curfew, close borders and halt media broadcasts. President Embaló confirmed he had been detained at military headquarters along with other senior officials, including the Chief of Staff and the Interior Minister, though he reported that no violence was used against him.
The military justified the takeover by claiming a plot involving foreign actors and drug traffickers aimed to manipulate election results and destabilise the nation. This explanation echoes past coups in Guinea‑Bissau, a country long affected by political instability and allegations of corruption.
The announcement has drawn widespread international attention and condemnation, with regional organisations such as ECOWAS and the African Union calling for the immediate restoration of constitutional order. Analysts warn that the country’s fragile democracy faces a critical test, with the future of governance and civil stability hanging in the balance.
