An army general has been appointed as Guinea-Bissau’s new head of state, following a military takeover that occurred a day earlier. General Horta N’Tam will serve as the transitional head of state for one year. The military had previously halted the electoral process and prevented the announcement of results from a presidential election that took place on Sunday.
Some civil society organizations have accused outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of orchestrating a “simulated coup” to delay the release of election results in the event of his loss. The coalition named Popular Front issued a statement, asserting that the actions taken were intended to obstruct the electoral process, which was set to disclose results on Thursday.
The president has not publicly responded to these allegations but noted he has faced multiple coup attempts during his administration. Critics have previously accused him of creating crises to suppress dissent. Guinea-Bissau, located between Senegal and Guinea, has a history of military influence and instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, marked by at least nine coups or attempted coups over five decades.
On Wednesday, military officers announced their control over the country, amidst reports of President Embaló’s arrest and gunfire in the capital, Bissau. The military cited a need to prevent unrest allegedly supported by unnamed politicians and a known drug baron. They announced the suspension of electoral processes, closure of borders, and the imposition of a nighttime curfew.
Expected electoral results were poised to reveal the outcomes of claims from both Embaló and his main rival, Fernando Dias, who had declared victory. Reports also indicated the detention of notable political figures, including Dias, and the police chief alongside military leaders. In response, observers from the African Union and Ecowas expressed concern regarding the coup, emphasizing the need for a return to constitutional order.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg164nvj77o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss