Coup: Guinea-Bissau President Arrested by Armed Men Days After Disputed Election

Guinea-Bissau has been thrown into fresh political turmoil after armed men arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embaló in the capital, Bissau, just days after a contentious election that has sharply divided the West African nation.

The arrest occurred on Wednesday around 1 p.m. local time at the presidential palace. Embaló later confirmed that he was detained without violence, describing the incident as a coup led by the country’s army chief of staff. Also taken into custody were the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan; his deputy, General Mamadou Touré; and Interior Minister Botché Candé.

Residents living near the palace reported hearing bursts of gunfire around the time of the arrests, though it remains unclear what triggered the confrontation or which factions were involved.

The situation comes three days after a disputed presidential election marked by controversy and the disqualification of the main opposition candidate. The move drew widespread criticism and heightened tension across the country ahead of the vote.

Embaló insists he secured 65% of the vote based on his own tally, while his main challenger, Fernando Dias, also claims victory. Dias has rejected the reported results and says the process fell short of acceptable standards. He is backed by former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira, who was barred from contesting along with the country’s historic opposition party, the PAIGC. The PAIGC remains a major force within the Pai Terra Ranka coalition, which includes about ten political parties.

Guinea-Bissau, home to roughly 2.1 million people, has a long history of instability, with repeated coups and political crises since gaining independence from Portugal.