On November 29, 2025, military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced that they had taken control of the country, following a sequence of events that raised questions about the legitimacy of the coup. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has endured at least nine coups. Gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, and President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was reportedly arrested while soldiers addressed the nation via state television. However, some analysts and political figures have expressed skepticism, suggesting that the situation may have been orchestrated by Embaló himself.
The military declared that they were acting to prevent a plot by unnamed politicians allegedly linked to a drug baron seeking to destabilize the country, which has gained notoriety as a drug trafficking hub. Interestingly, the military rejected the term “coup,” complicating the narrative surrounding the takeover. Just three days prior to the military action, Bissau-Guineans had voted in a presidential election in which Embaló was seeking a second term against Fernando Dias da Costa.
On the day of the coup, Embaló confirmed his arrest through a phone call to the media. The military suspended the electoral process, preventing the announcement of election results, which were expected to be released the following day. There are doubts regarding the military’s portrayal of events, particularly as Embaló was allowed to leave for Senegal shortly after, raising suspicions among opposition figures that the coup was staged.
Political analysts note that Guinea-Bissau’s military might have acted independently to avert a political deadlock, especially given the contentious nature of the election. Critics of Embaló accuse him of fabricating coup attempts to suppress dissent, although he attributes such claims to his turbulent history in office. Currently, General Horta N’Tam has been sworn in as president, pledging a one-year transition period amidst ongoing protests for the release of political figures and publication of election results.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m8nm22785o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss