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

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.

In Guinea-Bissau, the electoral commission announced on December 2, 2025, that the November 23 presidential election cannot be completed due to a military coup. Army officers seized power on November 26, attacking the electoral commission headquarters and other buildings. According to a senior electoral commission official, armed men confiscated computers, tally sheets from all regions, and destroyed the server storing the election results. Major-General Horta Inta-A was sworn in as the new transitional president on November 27, halting the election process. The coup occurred amidst a disputed vote where both the incumbent president and the opposition candidate claimed victory before official results were released.

Following a coup in Guinea-Bissau after the recent presidential election, Nigeria has granted asylum to Fernando Dias da Costa, a presidential candidate from the Party for Social Renewal. Dias, a main challenger to incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, sought protection at the Nigerian embassy due to threats against him. The coup occurred after the November 23rd election, preventing the announcement of results, with the military citing a plot to destabilize the country. The electoral commission stated it cannot release results due to destruction of paperwork and computer servers. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is urging the military to step aside and has sent a delegation to mediate. Tensions remain high in Bissau, with restrictions imposed and reports of arrests and militia activity.

Following a military coup in Guinea-Bissau after a disputed presidential election, an ECOWAS delegation, led by Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio, visited the country to mediate with the military leaders. The coup occurred three days after the election, where both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa claimed victory. ECOWAS is urging a return to constitutional order, while the military has tightened restrictions, banning demonstrations and strikes. The military appointed General Horta Inta-A to lead a one-year transition government and named a new cabinet. Deposed President Embalo has fled to Brazzaville, and Nigeria is providing protection to opposition leader Fernando Dias da Costa due to threats to his life.