Was it coup or was it a 'sham'? Behind Guinea-Bissau's military takeover

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete December 3, 2025 at 01:07 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Guinea-Bissau experienced a military takeover last Wednesday, marked by gunfire near the presidential palace, the arrest of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and an announcement on state television. The military claimed they intervened to thwart a plot by politicians and a drug baron to destabilize the country, a known drug-trafficking hub. The takeover occurred days after a presidential election where Embaló was seeking a second term, and the military suspended the electoral process, preventing the release of results. While the military insisted they acted against a plot, some analysts, including Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, suspect Embaló orchestrated the events. Several individuals, including opposition figure Domingos Pereira, were also detained during the coup.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Nigeria 40% Fernando Dias da Costa ×240% Domingos Pereira 50% Goodluck Jonathan 50% Senegal 50% Nicolas Negoce 50% Ousmane Sonko ×260% Guinea-Bissau ×480% Umaro Sissoco Embalã ×480%

Keywords

coup 100% guinea-bissau 90% military takeover 80% presidential election 70% umaro sissoco embaló 60% political destabilization 50% drug trafficking 50% junta 40%