The military has taken over Guinea-Bissau following a dramatic coup on November 26, 2025, just days after the country held its general elections. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was arrested at his office by the army chief of staff, marking a sudden end to his presidency and raising fears of renewed instability in the coup-prone nation.
The coup unfolded amid a contested electoral process, with both Embaló and his main rival, Fernando Dias da Costa, claiming victory in the presidential election held on November 23.
The coup occurred as official election results were yet to be released, with the electoral commission facing significant pressure and uncertainty. The military cited concerns about a “destabilization scheme” allegedly orchestrated by national politicians and foreign drug traffickers, as well as fears of electoral manipulation, as reasons for their intervention.
Soldiers took control of key government buildings, including the presidential palace and the electoral commission headquarters, and imposed a curfew across the capital, Bissau.
A faction of army officers declared “total control” of the country in a televised statement, closing all borders—land, air, and sea—and suspending the electoral process indefinitely.
The military spokesperson, Dinis N’Tchama, stated that the takeover was necessary to restore order and prevent further chaos following the disputed election.
Several senior officials, including the armed forces chief of staff, his deputy, and the interior minister, were also arrested in the process.
Guinea-Bissau has a long history of political instability and military coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.
The recent exclusion of the main opposition party, PAIGC, from the presidential election added to the tension, with civil society organizations and observers expressing concern about the legitimacy of the vote.
The deadlock over the election results created an environment ripe for military intervention, which ultimately materialized in the form of this latest coup.
The international community has reacted with alarm to the military takeover, as Guinea-Bissau is a key player in West Africa’s fragile democratic landscape.
Regional organizations such as ECOWAS and the African Union are expected to respond swiftly, calling for the restoration of constitutional order and the release of detained officials.
The coup could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability, particularly given Guinea-Bissau’s role in combating drug trafficking and its strategic location on the West African coast.
With the military now in control, the country’s democratic institutions have been suspended, and the future of the electoral process remains uncertain.
The military has set up a “High Command for Restoration” to govern the country until further notice, but details about their plans and timeline for returning to civilian rule are not yet clear.
Ordinary citizens face curfews and border closures, disrupting daily life and raising concerns about human rights and freedoms.
The path to restoring democracy in Guinea-Bissau will depend on the military’s willingness to negotiate with political stakeholders and international actors.
Pressure from regional bodies and the international community will be crucial in ensuring a peaceful transition back to civilian rule. However, the history of coups in the country suggests that the situation remains volatile and unpredictable, with the potential for further unrest if the military does not act swiftly to address the underlying causes of the crisis.