Military Arrests, Deposes Guinea-Bissau’s President
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has been arrested by armed men, according to government sources, after a gunshot was reported near the presidential palace.
Witnesses in Bissau reported hearing gunshots at 13:00 GMT; however, it was unclear who was responsible for the incident.
The reports come three days after a presidential election in which the main opposition candidate was disqualified.
Both Embaló and his closest rival, Fernando Dias, emerged victorious on Thursday, as expected.
As bullets went out, hundreds of people on foot and in automobiles fled for safety, according to the AFP news agency.
Guinea-Bissau, with a population of just less than two million, is one of the world’s poorest countries. Since 1980, the former Portuguese colony has had nine coups or attempted coups.
There have been two attempts to depose Embalo, the most recent in December 2023.
A gang of military officers claim to have seized control of Guinea-Bissau, citing rumors that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has been arrested.
Shortly after gunshots were reported in Bissau, government officials informed the BBC that Embaló had been seized.
⚡️ Ousted Guinea-Bissau president was plotting to ‘DESTABILIZE’ the country — military
— RT (@RT_com) November 26, 2025
President Embalo’s plan supposedly involved ‘a well-known national and foreign DRUG BARON’
Brigadier General Denis N'Canha decided to ‘immediately depose’ him https://t.co/I2BNpPvr0G pic.twitter.com/xaFr4nPSeQ
Military officers then appeared on state television, announcing that they had paused the electoral process and would remain in charge until further notice.
The West African nation had been awaiting the outcome of Sunday’s presidential election, in which the main opposition candidate had been disqualified from running.
The results were expected on Thursday – both Embaló and his closest rival, Fernando Dias, have claimed victory.
On Wednesday, witnesses in Bissau heard gunfire at around 13:00 GMT, but it was not immediately clear who was involved in the shooting or if there were any casualties.
Hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles fled, seeking shelter as the shots rang out, the AFP news agency reported.
Later, General Denis N’Canha, the commander of the military household at the presidential palace, made a statement declaring the takeover.
He stated that officers had established “the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and closed the border.
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Gen N’Canha told the people to “remain calm”.
In addition to Embaló, the president’s army staff and several ministers have reportedly been detained.
Guinea-Bissau, with a population of just less than two million, is one of the world’s poorest countries. Since 1980, the former Portuguese colony has had nine coups or attempted coups.
There have been two attempts to depose Embalo, the most recent in December 2023.
Military Arrests, Deposes Guinea-Bissau’s President
