In a statement read on state television, the officers said they had removed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, suspended the electoral process, closed national borders, and introduced a curfew. They added that they had formed “The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, which would govern the West African country until further notice.
Gunfire reported in the capital before the announcement
Witnesses reported gunfire near the electoral commission, the presidential palace, and the interior ministry shortly before the army’s statement. The shooting lasted for around an hour and had stopped by 1400 GMT, according to a Reuters journalist on the scene. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The electoral commission had been scheduled to announce provisional results on Thursday following Sunday’s vote, in which Embaló faced main challenger Fernando Dias. Both camps had already claimed victory in the first round.
Embaló, who was attempting to become the first leader in three decades to win a second consecutive term, could not be reached for comment.
His spokesperson, Antonio Yaya Seidy, said armed men linked to Dias had attacked the electoral commission to block the announcement of results, though he provided no evidence to support the claim. Dias’s camp has not yet responded. Former prime minister Domingos Simões Pereira, who backed Dias in this election, rejected any suggestion that Dias was involved. He said Dias had been meeting election observers when news of gunfire emerged. Dias is safe and remains in Bissau, Pereira added.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced at least nine coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Embaló, who took office in 2020, has claimed to have survived three coup attempts, although critics accuse him of exaggerating crises to justify political crackdowns.