Troopers have appeared on state TV in Guinea-Bissau to say the nation’s navy has seized energy, accusing its president of interfering in Sunday’s election as he revealed he had been “deposed”.
Army spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama mentioned in a press release that the navy had determined to “immediately depose the president of the republic” and droop all authorities establishments.
He mentioned they acted in response to the “discovery of an ongoing plan” that he mentioned aimed to destabilise the nation by making an attempt to “manipulate electoral results”.
Picture:
Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on the UN in 2023. File pic: Reuters
The “scheme was set up by some national politicians with the participation of a well-known drug lord, and domestic and foreign nationals”, Mr N’Tchama mentioned, however gave no particulars.
The nation has emerged as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.
The electoral course of was being suspended instantly, together with the actions of the media, whereas the nation’s borders have been being closed, he mentioned.
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló informed French tv community France 24: “I have been deposed.”
A global election observer informed Related Press the president “has been speaking to people saying he’s being held by the military”.
Gunfire was heard close to the presidential palace within the capital, Bissau, round midday on Wednesday.
A palace official mentioned a gaggle of armed males tried to assault the constructing, resulting in an trade of gunfire with guards.
Gunshots have been additionally heard across the close by nationwide electoral fee, an inside ministry official mentioned.
Each sources spoke on situation of anonymity.
Roads resulting in the palace have been closed off, with checkpoints manned by closely armed and masked troopers, an AP reporter mentioned.
In the meantime, Mr Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa each claimed victory on Tuesday within the presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday, although official provisional outcomes weren’t anticipated till Thursday.
Mr Embaló, who was elected in February 2020, was as a result of stand down earlier this yr after serving a five-year time period.
That was prolonged till 4 September by the nation’s supreme court docket, however voting was delayed till this month.
It was the most recent of a number of coups in recent times in West Africa.
Guinea-Bissau has seen 4 coups and quite a few tried ones because it gained independence in 1974, together with one reported final month.
