Military C0up in Guinea-Bissau: General Sworn in as Transitional ย President.
On 26 November 2025, the armยฃd forces of Guinea-Bissau declared they had taken โtotal controlโ of the country โ just one day before provisional results from a tightly contested presidential election were due.
In a televised statement, officers said they had deposed the incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embalรณ, suspended the electoral process, closed borders, imposed a curfew, and shut down media broadcasts.
A sudden military takeover in Guinea-Bissau has left former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and other foreign observers unable to leave the country.
The armed forces suspended the electoral process, imposed a nationwide curfew, and closed all borders.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo confirmed he had been deposed as reports emerged of key political figures being arrested.
African leaders in Bissau have condemned the intervention and urged the swift restoration of constitutional order.
Eyewitnesses reported heavy guunfirยฃ near key government buildings โ including the presidential palace and the national electoral commission โ just before the takeover. Soldiers were seen deploying throughout the capital, Bissau, and major roads leading to official offices were blocked.
Shortly after the announcement, Embalรณ told media he had been deposed and was under the control of the military at general-staff headquarters.
The highest-ranking general involved in the takeover, Horta NโTam, was formally sworn in on 27 November 2025 as โtransitional presidentโ and head of the newly formed High Military Command for the Restoration of Order.
The military says this takeover was necessary because the election โ between Embalรณ and challenger Fernando Dias โ had become deeply contested, with both sides declaring victory and suspicions over manipulation or frauud.
NโTamโs transitional rule is expected to last at least one year as the military consolidates control and โrestores order,โ according to official statements
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The African Union Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum have condemned Wednesdayโs coup dโรฉtat and called for the junta leaders to return the country to โconstitutional orderโ.
In a press release copy sent to the EyeWitnessNews mailing list on Wednesday evening, the statement reads, โWe, the Heads of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), and the West African Elders Forum, note the orderly and peaceful conclusion of the voting process for the presidential and legislative elections held on 23 November 2025 in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
The press release commends the people of Guinea-Bissau for their strong civic engagement and the professionalism demonstrated by polling staff, security personnel, presidential candidates, and party agents throughout the voting process.
The group expressed deep concern about the announcement of the coup, as the country was awaiting the results. The release stated that the group had earlier met with the two leading candidates before the announcement of the coup, and they assured them that they were willing to accept the outcome of the elections.Read more
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