_By Adesakin Adefemi_
_November 25, 2024_
Guinea-Bissau descended into chaos on Wednesday as outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló claimed he was arrested at the presidential palace around 1 p.m., describing the development as a _“coup d’état”_ led by the army chief of staff. He stated that no force was used during his detention, adding to the tension gripping the capital, Bissau.
Gunfire was reported near the National Electoral Commission (CNE) headquarters, with journalists covering the presidential election forced to hide inside offices as security rapidly deteriorated.
The arrests extended beyond the president, with key figures detained including the armed forces’ chief of staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan, his deputy, General Mamadou Touré, and the interior minister, Botché Candé.
Embaló insisted he had legitimately won last Sunday’s presidential election with _“65% of the vote,”_ according to his own tally—though official provisional results are not expected until Thursday. The claim mirrors a pattern of disputed outcomes, as opposition candidate Fernando Dias de Costa also declared victory, reflecting deep political fractures.
The election was marked by controversy, notably the exclusion of the major opposition party PAIGC and its leader Domingos Simões Pereira, positioning Embaló as a frontrunner. However, Dias de Costa’s strong showing unsettled expectations, intensifying the stakes.
Analysts say the crisis stems from years of mistrust between the presidency and the military, historically the most powerful institution in Guinea-Bissau. Embaló’s push to centralise authority, restructure security agencies, and sideline rivals reportedly heightened tensions.
His early self-proclaimed victory and alleged pressure on institutions appear to have triggered a backlash within the armed forces. “This is a clear attempt to subvert the democratic process,” a Western diplomat said, speaking anonymously.
The country, no stranger to instability—having endured 12 coups since 1974—is now on edge. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Union (AU) are likely to intervene, observers warn. As of now, communications in Bissau are patchy, with residents sheltering in place.
No official death toll has been confirmed, but fear grips citizens. “We’ve seen soldiers, heard shots. We’re scared,” a Bissau resident told AFP. The international community urges calm, awaiting clearer details.
