Military arrests President Embaló, suspends electoral process, and closes borders after gunfire rocks capital following contested presidential vote.
On November 26, 2025, army officers in Guinea-Bissau seized power in a coup d’état that plunged the West African country into political uncertainty just days after a tightly contested general election. Gunfire erupted in the capital city, Bissau, near key government sites including the presidential palace and the national electoral commission. The military faction, calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” declared that they had assumed full control of the country, suspended the entire electoral process, and closed all land, air, and sea borders until further notice.
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who was seeking reelection, announced that he had been arrested peacefully in his office around 1 p.m. GMT by the army chief of staff. Several top government and military officials, including the armed forces chief of staff General Biaguê Na Ntan, his deputy General Mamadou Touré, and interior minister Botché Candé, were also detained. The soldiers imposed a nationwide curfew and suspended all media broadcasts, while reportedly attempting to cut off internet access, actions designed to consolidate control and prevent public unrest.
This coup follows the presidential election held on November 23, 2025, in which both President Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa declared victory, while the official electoral commission had yet to announce results scheduled for November 27. The election itself was contentious, as major opposition parties such as the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) were barred from participating, which led to widespread allegations of manipulation and irregularities. Political tensions were already high, with civil society and international observers questioning the legitimacy of the electoral process.
The military spokesperson, General Denis N’Canha, who was previously head of the presidential guard and responsible for the president’s security, justified the coup by alleging a planned scheme to destabilize the country. He accused certain national politicians of collaborating with local and international drug trafficking networks to manipulate election outcomes, introducing weapons into the country, and attempting to upend the constitutional order. These serious allegations reflect deep-rooted issues of corruption, crime, and political instability that have plagued Guinea-Bissau for decades.
Guinea-Bissau has a turbulent history of coups and attempted coups—this marks the fourth successful military takeover since independence in 1974. President Embaló himself survived three coup attempts since taking office in 2020. The military’s bold move to halt the electoral process and govern the country indefinitely raises urgent questions about the future of democracy, stability, and rule of law in the nation. As the international community watches closely, there are growing calls for restraint, respect for democratic norms, and a peaceful resolution that reflects the will of the people amidst this crisis.
