What to Know About the Coup in Guinea-Bissau

Following a recent election in Guinea-Bissau where final results were pending, the military installed General Horta Inta-a as the transitional leader after deposing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The opposition claims Embaló fabricated the coup to remain in power by proxy, alleging he lost the election and refused to accept defeat. Inta-a, a close ally of Embaló, stated the transition would last one year to restore constitutional order. Embaló has reportedly arrived safely in Senegal, while a key opposition figure has been arrested. Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups, with no president ever being re-elected since multiparty elections were introduced.

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have announced they are taking "total control" of the country, three days after elections that both presidential contenders claim to have won. The military takeover came after shots were heard near election commission headquarters, the presidential palace, and the interior ministry on Wednesday. The high military command for the restoration of order has suspended the electoral process and closed borders until further notice. Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The country's average yearly income was $963 in 2024, according to the World Bank. The UN had previously labelled Guinea-Bissau a "narco state" due to its role in the global cocaine trade.

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have announced they are taking "total control" of the country, three days after elections that both presidential contenders claim to have won. The military takeover came after shots were heard near election commission headquarters, the presidential palace, and the interior ministry on Wednesday. The high military command for the restoration of order has suspended the electoral process and closed borders until further notice. Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The country's average yearly income was $963 in 2024, according to the World Bank. The UN had previously labelled Guinea-Bissau a "narco state" due to its role in the global cocaine trade.