By DAYO ADESULU
Army Declares “Total Control,” Detains President Embaló
On 26 November 2025, soldiers in Guinea-Bissau declared a military takeover. The country’s armed forces announced they had seized “total control,” detained Umaro Sissoco Embaló, suspended all government institutions, shut borders, and halted the ongoing electoral process.
Gunfire rang out earlier in the day near the presidential palace and the headquarters of the electoral commission, triggering panic across the capital, Bissau. Uniformed soldiers quickly sealed off roads leading to government buildings.
In a televised address, top military commanders said they had uncovered a plot to manipulate election results — allegedly involving domestic politicians, a known drug lord, and foreign collaborators. They announced the formation of a new junta: High Military Command for the Restoration of Order (ACMRO), which will govern until further notice.
Electoral Uncertainty and Political Fallout
The coup comes just three days after a national election in which both Embaló and his main challenger — Fernando Dias da Costa — claimed victory. Official election results were due to be released Thursday, but the military’s abrupt takeover has suspended the entire process.
By afternoon, soldiers reportedly detained not only the president but also high-ranking officials, including the Chief of Staff, his deputy, and the Interior Minister.
All media outlets were shut down, and a nationwide curfew was declared. Land, air, and sea borders were simultaneously closed as the junta asserted full control.
Historic Pattern: Another Coup in a Troubled Past
This marks the ninth successful or attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau since independence from Portugal in 1974. The West African nation has long been plagued by instability, political violence, and institutional fragility.
Observers warned that the disputed 2025 elections had already stirred deep tensions. The military’s intervention appears aimed at restructuring power — but it has plunged the country into uncertainty.
Regional and International Reactions — Calls for Return to Constitutional Order
International organisations and neighbouring states immediately condemned the coup and called for constitutional order to be restored. Pressure mounted for the release of detained leaders and reinstatement of the electoral process.
The sudden takeover deepens fears that Guinea-Bissau may slip further into chaos — with serious implications for regional stability, migration flows, and the fight against transnational crime, including drug trafficking.
What’s Next for Guinea-Bissau?
The military has not offered a clear timeline for restoring civilian rule or resuming elections. Meanwhile, political actors, civil society, and international bodies await signs of either a negotiated transition or deeper power consolidation by the junta.
For now, the streets of Bissau remain under curfew, borders are sealed, and the future of democracy in the country hangs in the balance.
