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President Umaro Sissoco Embaló reported his own ouster as military officers led by Denis N’Canha seized control of Guinea-Bissau, suspended elections, and imposed a curfew.
Soldiers hold weapons while patrolling a street near the scene of gunfire near the Presidential Palace in Bissau. (IMAGE: AFP)
Guinea-Bissau was plunged into fresh turmoil on Wednesday after President Umaro Sissoco Embaló personally phoned multiple newsrooms to say he had been overthrown, even as military officers declared they had taken “total control” of the coup-prone West African nation.
According to Jeune Afrique, Embaló directly called their newsroom to report that he had been “deposed,” alleging that the coup had been organised by the army’s Chief of General Staff. He also contacted FRANCE 24, telling journalists that he had been removed from power.
Soon after, AFP quoted a senior military source confirming that Embaló had been arrested and was being held inside the general-staff headquarters, where he was said to be “well-treated.” The officer added that the president was detained along with the chief of staff and the interior minister.
The coup leaders moved quickly. Military officers announced that they were assuming command of the country “until further notice,” suspending the electoral process just three days after general elections. Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had both prematurely claimed victory, with provisional results expected Thursday.
Gunfire was reported earlier near the presidential palace, and soldiers took control of the surrounding roads before General Denis N’Canha — head of the presidential military office — appeared before the press to read out the takeover declaration, flanked by armed troops.
Guinea Bissau 🇬🇼: full statement of Bregadier general Denis N’Canha in which he announces the military has taken full control of the country. pic.twitter.com/uUJtxXXocw— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) November 26, 2025
N’Canha claimed the army had uncovered a plot to destabilise the country “involving national drug lords,” alleging that weapons had been brought in to “alter the constitutional order.” He further announced the suspension of all media programming and imposed a nationwide curfew, while the country’s borders were shut.
Guinea-Bissau’s National Electoral Commission was also attacked by unidentified armed men on Wednesday, a commission official told AFP.
The small West African nation, one of the world’s poorest, has long struggled with political instability and entrenched cocaine trafficking routes connecting Latin America and Europe. Since independence, it has endured four coups and multiple attempted coups
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se… Read More
Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
November 26, 2025, 23:55 IST
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