A New Leader Takes Over After a Swift Power Shake-Up
Guinea-Bissau has entered a new phase of political uncertainty after General Horta N'Tam was sworn in as the nation’s transitional president just one day after an apparent coup.
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| General Horta N'Tam Takes Charge After Sudden Guinea-Bissau Power Shift |
The ceremony, held quietly at army headquarters, marked a dramatic change in leadership as tensions rise over the suspended presidential election.
Coup or Political Strategy? Opposition Raises Questions
Civil society groups and opposition figures claim the event may have been a “simulated coup” orchestrated by outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló to stop election results from being announced.
The coalition Popular Front accused Embaló of using the military to delay results that were originally scheduled for release on November 27.
Rival candidate Fernando Dias echoed similar accusations, suggesting the move was designed to cling to power. Embaló has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Election Process Suspended Amid Military Actions
The military halted the electoral process and blocked the publication of Sunday’s election results, deepening fears of democratic backsliding.
Reports from AFP indicate that Embaló is currently being held at army headquarters but is said to be “well-treated”.
The African Union has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Embaló and stressed the importance of respecting the electoral process.
A Nation with a Long History of Coups
Guinea-Bissau, situated between Senegal and Guinea, has experienced at least nine coups or attempted coups since independence in 1974.
Its military remains extremely influential, and its strategic islands have long made it a major transit point for the international cocaine trade, earning the label “narco-state”.
Gunfire, Curfews, and a Sudden Power Vacuum
Gunshots were reported in the capital, Bissau, as confusion spread.
Military officers later appeared on state TV announcing border closures and a night-time curfew, claiming they acted to stop a destabilization plot involving unnamed politicians and a “well-known drug baron”.
Both Embaló and Dias previously declared victory in the election before results were suspended.
In addition to civilian leaders, sources say several top army officials — including the army chief and his deputy — were also detained.
International Community Calls for Calm
Election observers from the AU and ECOWAS expressed “deep concern”, saying the election had been peaceful and that both major candidates had promised to accept the results.
Portugal, the former colonial power, called for a return to constitutional order and urged leaders to avoid further violence.
Borders have reportedly reopened as of Thursday, but uncertainty remains high.
What Lies Ahead for Guinea-Bissau?
President Embaló, who hoped to secure a second term despite earlier stating he would not run again, now finds his political future deeply uncertain.
With widespread poverty, a population of over two million, and entrenched drug-trafficking networks, Guinea-Bissau faces a fragile road ahead.