The takeover unfolded hours before provisional results were expected from the November presidential vote, in which both Embalo and challenger Fernando Dias had prematurely declared victory.

It marks the ninth coup in West and Central Africa in five years and continues a long pattern of military interventions and narcotics-linked political tensions.

Army Blocks Vote And Seizes State

The self-styled High Military Command for the Restoration of Order announced it had taken power, saying the move countered a destabilisation plot by politicians and drug traffickers, though it offered no evidence.

Soldiers halted the release of provisional election results, enforced a temporary border closure, and imposed a nationwide curfew that was later lifted. Embalo confirmed he had been deposed, and a military statement said he and senior officials were “under the control” of the command.

Transitional Leader Sworn In

Major-General Horta Inta-a appeared on state television asserting that the coup was necessary to prevent “narcotraffickers” from “capturing Guinean democracy.” He declared that the transition would last one year, effective immediately.

At a swearing-in ceremony, he appointed Major-General Tomas Djassi as army chief of staff and ordered markets, schools and private institutions to reopen.

Embalo Transported To Senegal

Senegal’s foreign ministry announced that Embalo arrived “safe and sound” in Dakar aboard a government-chartered aircraft following regional engagement.

Authorities reiterated support for restoring constitutional order and urged cooperation among regional bodies. ECOWAS subsequently suspended Guinea-Bissau from all decision-making organs and called on the military to allow the electoral commission to publish the vote count.

Claims, Arrests And Rising Pressure

Dias accused Embalo of orchestrating a “false coup attempt” to prevent defeat at the polls, saying he believed he had won roughly 52% of the vote.

Security forces detained several opposition figures, including former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, and dispersed gatherings using tear gas and occasional live fire, though no casualties were reported. Regional observers remained unaccounted for, including a former West African head of state who had been monitoring the election.