Guinea-Bissau Military Coup: General Horta Nta Na Man Named Transitional President After Disputed Vote & Embalo Ousted

Guinea-Bissau's Military Stages Coup, Installs New Transitional Leader

Guinea-Bissau's fragile political landscape has once again been upended by military intervention. General Horta Nta Na Man was swiftly sworn in as transitional president on Thursday, just a day after soldiers seized control, deposing the civilian leadership following a contentious presidential election.

The self-proclaimed "High Military Command for the Restoration of Order" announced on Wednesday that they had ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. This swift power grab plunges the West African nation, notorious for its history of coups and as a transit hub for cocaine, into yet another period of uncertainty. Radio France Internationale reported that General Nta Na Man is expected to lead for a one-year transitional period.

The Coup's Immediate Aftermath and Disputed Election

This military takeover occurred mere hours before the provisional results were anticipated from Sunday's fiercely contested presidential race. The incumbent, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, faced a formidable challenge from political newcomer Fernando Dias, 47, who had rapidly emerged as his main rival. Prior to the coup's official announcement, residents in the capital, Bissau, reported an hour of gunfire near both the electoral commission headquarters and the presidential palace.

President Embalo himself confirmed his deposition to French media on Thursday, though his current whereabouts remain unknown. The military officers behind the coup did not provide details regarding his custody. The international community quickly condemned the events, with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Embalo and all other detained officials. Similarly, leaders from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS voiced strong concern over reported arrests of Embalo, senior government officials, and electoral staff.

In Bissau, Thursday unfolded with an eerie calm. Soldiers maintained patrols in the city center, while many residents chose to remain indoors despite the overnight curfew being lifted. Banks and businesses remained shuttered, reflecting the tense atmosphere.

Accusations and Detentions Amidst the Turmoil

The political drama deepened with accusations from Fernando Dias. In a video statement, Dias alleged that President Embalo had orchestrated a "false coup attempt" to sabotage the election, fearing an impending loss. The coalition backing Dias issued a statement to Reuters on Thursday, demanding the release of the election results from Sunday's vote.

The coalition also called for the release of former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, who was defeated by Embalo in the 2019 election. Relatives and security sources confirmed Pereira's detention on Wednesday. Security forces deployed tear gas to disperse a small protest outside the building where Pereira was reportedly held. Witnesses also reported live rounds being fired to break up a gathering near Dias's home on the outskirts of Bissau, though no casualties were reported from the violence on Wednesday or Thursday.

A History of Instability and Narcotics

Guinea-Bissau, a small coastal nation nestled between Senegal and Guinea, has earned a grim reputation as a notorious transit point for cocaine destined for Europe. Under Embalo's administration, the illicit drug trade reportedly flourished. The country's political history is marred by chronic instability, having experienced at least nine coups or attempted coups between gaining independence from Portugal in 1974 and Embalo's ascension to power in 2020. Fernando Dias had campaigned on a platform that included pledges to curb military interference in politics. Embalo, for his part, claimed to have survived three coup attempts during his tenure, though critics often accused him of manufacturing crises to justify crackdowns on dissent.

Unaccounted Election Observers Raise Concerns

The unfolding crisis also raised serious concerns about election observers. In a joint statement issued Wednesday night, observers from the African Union and ECOWAS expressed "deep concern" over the coup, noting that officials responsible for the electoral process had been arrested. They too called for their immediate release. Notably, Nigeria's former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was observing the vote for the West African Elders Forum, could not be reached on Thursday. An ECOWAS spokesperson stated they did not know his whereabouts. Similarly, Edwin Snowe, a Liberian senator who had been part of a parliamentary observer group, reported leaving the country on Tuesday and had since been unable to contact fellow observers still within Guinea-Bissau.

The latest developments underscore the deep-seated political fragility and the persistent challenge of establishing stable, democratic governance in Guinea-Bissau.