By: Ibrahim Issah]
In a dramatic turn of events, military forces in Guinea-Bissau have announced a takeover of the government, deposing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The announcement was made on state television, with the military citing a plot to “destabilize” the country as the reason for their actions.
The president has confirmed he has been deposed and was arrested without force at his office.
The military has formed a “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and taken control of the country.
The electoral process has been suspended, and borders have been closed.
A curfew is in place, and media activities have been suspended.
The move comes just a day before the planned announcement of provisional presidential election results, which had seen Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa claim victory.
The international community has responded with calls for restraint and a return to constitutional order. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all national stakeholders to exercise restraint and respect the rule of law.
Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups and attempted coups, with this being the ninth such incident since independence from Portugal in 1974.
