In a sudden and forceful takeover on 26 November 2025, Guinea-Bissau’s military removed the civilian government and placed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and several senior officials under arrest. The move came just days after a fiercely contested national election that had already pushed the nation into political uncertainty.
Election Tensions Spark Crisis
The unrest can be traced back to the 23 November 2025 general elections, which were meant to select both a new president and a legislative assembly. The credibility of the vote was questioned from the start, as one of the country’s major opposition parties had been excluded from participating.
With mistrust already high, both Embaló and his main rival claimed victory even before official results were released. The absence of clarity intensified public anxiety, creating the perfect storm for instability.
Military Declares ‘Total Control’
By the afternoon of 26 November, gunfire echoed across central Bissau. Armed soldiers advanced toward the presidential palace, the Interior Ministry, and the national electoral commission. Shortly after securing these locations, uniformed officers appeared on state television announcing that the armed forces had taken “total control” of the nation.
Borders were immediately sealed, media broadcasts were halted, and an open-ended curfew was imposed on residents. The junta also declared that the entire electoral process was suspended.
The takeover was led by Denis N'Canha, head of the presidency’s military office, who introduced a new ruling structure titled the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order.
President and Senior Officials Taken Into Custody
President Embaló was reportedly detained without resistance at the presidential palace around midday. Along with him, the military apprehended several top security and government leaders, including the armed forces chief of staff Biaguê Na Ntan, his deputy Mamadou Touré, and Interior Minister Botché Candé.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion and fear, with gunshots heard near major government buildings and soldiers occupying key public spaces. Despite the chaos, no immediate casualties were reported.
A Nation Long Marked by Upheaval
Since achieving independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has struggled to maintain political stability. Coups, attempted coups, and internal power struggles have punctuated nearly every decade of its modern history.
The 2025 military takeover now adds another chapter to this longstanding cycle of unrest, highlighting once again the fragility of its democratic institutions.
Uncertain Road Ahead
The junta has not yet laid out a timeline for restoring civilian rule, raising concerns both domestically and internationally. With elections suspended, the borders closed, and no clear plan for governance, Guinea-Bissau faces a period of heightened unpredictability.
Whether this power shift solidifies prolonged military rule or sparks renewed calls for democratic restoration remains to be seen. For now, citizens are left navigating a tense and rapidly evolving political landscape, hoping for stability in a country that has seldom enjoyed it.
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