Guinea-Bissau Military Seizes Power, Declares Government Takeover on State TV
The political landscape of Guinea-Bissau has been dramatically upended as soldiers appeared on state television to declare a government takeover. This swift move, announced Wednesday, November 26, 2025, follows a period of heightened tension and reports of gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, Bissau, just three days after the nation's highly anticipated elections.
Military Cites Destabilization Plot and Election Manipulation
A spokesperson for the country's military high command, Dinis N'Tchama, delivered the decree, stating, "The High Military Command for the reestablishment of national and public order decides to immediately depose the President of the Republic, to suspend, until new orders, all of the institutions of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau." The military justified its actions by citing the "discovery of an ongoing plan" designed to destabilize the country. They further alleged that "domestic and foreign nationals" were attempting to "manipulate electoral results to implement this plan."
Immediate Measures: Suspensions and Border Closures
In a series of immediate measures, the soldiers announced the suspension of the current electoral process and all media outlet activities. Furthermore, all of Guinea-Bissau's borders have been closed. These developments unfold against a backdrop of disputed presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday. Both the incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa had prematurely claimed victory on Tuesday, even though official provisional results were not anticipated until Thursday.
A Nation's History of Political Instability
The West African nation has a turbulent political history, marked by at least four successful coups and numerous attempted ones since gaining independence. The latest incident echoes a reported attempted coup just last month, highlighting a persistent pattern of instability.
Gunfire and Roadblocks in Bissau
Eyewitnesses in Bissau reported hearing gunfire around noon on Wednesday near the presidential palace. An Associated Press journalist observed that roads leading to the palace were subsequently blocked, with checkpoints established and manned by heavily armed, masked soldiers, underscoring the gravity of the situation unfolding in the capital.