BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — November 26, 2025
In a dramatic turn of events a day before the scheduled announcement of provisional results from the presidential election, a group of army officers in Guinea-Bissau declared they had seized power, deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, suspended the electoral process, and shut the country’s borders and media operations. Reuters+2Africanews+
Gunfire rang out around the capital, Bissau — near the presidential palace, the headquarters of the electoral commission, and the interior ministry — just hours before the military’s televised announcement. Witnesses reported heavy shooting lasting about an hour. South China Morning Post+2Dawn+2
At a press conference broadcast on state television, the military announced the formation of a new governing body. Brigadier-General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, said the officers had established the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order and were taking “full powers of the State” until further notice. Africanews+2Wikipedia+2
“We assume full powers of the State of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau,” declared N’Canha. “All institutions of the Republic, the media, the electoral process — everything is suspended until new orders.” Africanews+1
Shortly after the announcement, President Embaló told the French broadcaster France 24: “I have been deposed.” France 24+1 Reports said he was detained along with several senior officials — including the chief of staff, interior minister, and others — at the military general-staff headquarters, where he was being “well treated.” ABC+2Wikipedia+2
The coup comes on the eve of the expected provisional results from the presidential vote held on November 23. Both Embaló and main challenger Fernando Dias da Costa had already claimed victory, even though official results had not been released. News24+1
In justification for the takeover, the military alleged discovery of a plot to “destabilize” the country — involving politicians, a “well-known drug baron,” foreign nationals, and an attempt to manipulate election outcomes. A News+1
In the immediate aftermath, land, sea, and air borders were closed; a curfew was imposed; media stations were shut down; and all state institutions suspended. Wikipedia+2Africanews+2
This marks the latest in a long line of coups and attempted coups in Guinea-Bissau since independence from Portugal in 1974. According to historical records, the 2025 military takeover will enter the country’s troubled history as another abrupt interruption to its democratic process. The Guardian+1
International reactions have begun to pour in, with calls for calm and a restoration of constitutional order. Meanwhile, the fate of the electoral process, the detained officials, and the future leadership of the country hang in uncertainty.
