We didn't wait for the changes: a coup d'etat took place in Guinea-Bissau

On Wednesday, November 26, it became known about the coup in the African country of Guinea-Bissau. The current Head of State, the Chief of the General Staff, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff and the Minister of Internal Affairs and Public Order are under arrest. It all happened a few days after the presidential and parliamentary elections. The military declared full control over the country, as well as the overthrow of the head of state. Read more about what is happening in the Izvestia article.

The coup in Guinea-Bissau: what is known

On Wednesday, November 26, the military of Guinea-Bissau declared full control over the country after their coup. This was reported by the France-Presse news agency. They also announced the suspension of the electoral process and the closure of all borders. At the same time, just three days ago, on November 23, presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Guinea-Bissau. The publication of their results was supposed to take place on Thursday, the 27th.

Ousted President Umaro Sisoku Embalo told Jeune Afrique after the incident that he was arrested in the office of the presidential palace. Earlier it was also reported that shots were being fired near the building. According to available information, the shooting began at about 13:00 local time (16:00 Moscow time). The military blocked the road leading to the palace, the military's affiliation to any particular unit has not been established.

The Reuters news agency, in turn, reported that the shooting occurred in the area of the main office of the national Election Commission.

In addition to President Sisoku Embalo, the Chief of the General Staff, General Biage Na Ntan, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, General Mamadou Toure, and the Minister of Internal Affairs and Public Order, Botce Kande, were arrested.

The organizer of the coup, according to Sisoku Embalo, was the chief of the General Staff of the army. The deposed president said that no violent acts had been committed against him, but that the reason for what was happening was an attempt to undermine the results of the presidential election.

Later, an officer of the army of Guinea-Bissau on national television announced the suspension of the electoral process until further notice. The country's borders and airspace are closed, and a curfew has been declared. They will not be lifted until the situation is clarified and the constitutional order is restored. The work of state institutions has also been suspended.

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Guinea-Bissau has been placed on high alert. In an interview with TASS, the Russian diplomatic mission confirmed that shots were heard in the center of the capital of Bissau in the afternoon. Communication with compatriots and representatives of commercial companies in the country is maintained, while they are not allowed to enter the city.

"According to reports, the CEC building was seized by armed men in uniform. Contradictory information is being received from various sources about the fate of head of state Umaru Sisoku Embalo, but there is no clarity yet," the Russian diplomatic mission said.

In addition, the Russian Embassy in Guinea-Bissau, in an interview with RIA-Novosti, said that armed men in uniform had seized the building of the Central Election Commission.

Elections in Guinea-Bissau on November 23

On Sunday, November 23, presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Guinea-Bissau, which, as reported, were held in a calm atmosphere. The publication of their results was supposed to take place on Thursday, the 27th.

12 candidates participated in the elections, including the current head of state Umaru Sisoku Embalo, who was running for a second term. Other candidates also included former President Jose Mario Vache (2014-2020), who was seen as the main rival to Sisoku Embalo.

It was also reported that Umaru Sisoku Embalo, without waiting for the official announcement of the voting results, announced his victory in the elections. Another candidate, Fernando Dias, did the same.

Where is Guinea-Bissau, the attempted coups

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a former Portuguese colony. The country gained independence in 1973. The state is located in the western part of Africa, the capital is Bissau. The country is bordered to the north by Senegal, and to the east and south by Guinea.

The Head of State is elected for a five-year term. Sisoku Embalo won the elections in December 2019 and took office in January 2020, and in 2025 he fought for the seat for the second time.

For Sisoku Embalo, the coup d'etat on November 26 was not a novelty. Earlier it was reported about an attempt to overthrow the government on February 1, 2022. Then, five hours after the start of the coup, the president announced its suppression and said that it was an attempt to kill him, the Prime Minister and the entire cabinet. The next coup attempt took place on November 30 — December 1, 2023. Clashes between the military of the National Guard and the special forces of the Presidential Guard were recorded in the capital of the country.