Military coup in Guinea-Bissau overthrows the president after presidential and parliamentary elections.

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups

Guinea-Bissau witnessed a military coup today, during which army officers announced the removal of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and the seizure of power, just three days after the presidential and parliamentary elections held on November 23. Sources reported hearing gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, Bissau, while President Embaló confirmed that he had been arrested by the army chief of staff, in a move described by observers as a full-fledged coup. The army announced the closure of all land, sea, and air borders, and the formation of the "Supreme Military Command for the Restoration of Order," pledging to take over the administration of the state until further notice. One officer told Agence France-Presse that the aim of the move was to "save the nation from political chaos and prevent any falsification of the will of the people," while another officer stressed that "the armed forces are the only guarantor of the country's stability at the present time." The coup reflects the continued military influence in the political landscape of a country historically plagued by instability, as Guinea-Bissau has witnessed more than ten successful and failed coup attempts since its independence from Portugal in 1974.