A group of army officers announced on March 6, 2024, that they have seized power in Guinea-Bissau, just before the anticipated release of results from a contentious presidential election. The officers stated they have deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, suspended the electoral process, closed the country’s borders, and imposed a curfew.
In a statement broadcast on state television, the officers declared the establishment of “The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” asserting their authority over the West African nation until further notice. Gunfire erupted earlier near key government buildings, including the electoral commission headquarters and the presidential palace, heightening tensions in the capital, Bissau. Witnesses reported that the shooting, which lasted for roughly an hour, ceased by 14:00 GMT (09:00 ET). As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties.
The electoral commission was set to announce provisional results from the elections held on March 3, where Embalo faced off against his main challenger, Fernando Dias. Both candidates had previously claimed victory following the initial round of voting. Embalo was aiming to become the first president in three decades to secure a second consecutive term in Guinea-Bissau, a small coastal nation located between Senegal and Guinea.
A spokesperson for Embalo, Antonio Yaya Seidy, alleged that unidentified gunmen attacked the election commission in an attempt to disrupt the announcement of the vote results. He claimed that these armed individuals were associated with Dias, although no evidence was provided to support this assertion. In response, a spokesperson for Dias did not immediately offer comments on the situation.
Former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, who lost to Embalo in a disputed runoff in 2019 and backed Dias in this election, refuted any connection between Dias and the violent incident. Pereira, present at a meeting with election observers when the gunfire erupted, stated that Dias was safe and remained in Bissau at the time.
Guinea-Bissau has a tumultuous history marked by political instability, including at least nine coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Embalo has claimed to have survived three coup attempts since taking office in early 2020. Critics of his administration have accused him of orchestrating crises to justify crackdowns on opposition.
The situation remains fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring developments in Guinea-Bissau as the ramifications of this military intervention unfold.
