Guinea-Bissau Military Installs General as Transitional President After Pre-Election Coup

Guinea-Bissau’s military has seized power and installed General Horta Inta-A as transitional president before election results were released. Both main candidates had claimed victory, and the opposition accused President Embaló of staging a “fake coup.” The African Union condemned the takeover, and Embaló’s location is unknown. The coup adds to the country’s long history of political instability.

Military officials in Guinea-Bissau on Thursday announced that a high-ranking general has been appointed as the country’s transitional president. This announcement followed a dramatic and swift military operation in which soldiers toppled the civilian government just hours before the official results of the weekend’s election were expected to be released. The move has plunged the already fragile nation into yet another period of political uncertainty.

Horta Inta-A, the general who has now assumed control, was inaugurated in a ceremony marked by the presence of armed military officers and state officials. During his address, he attempted to justify the takeover by claiming that Guinea-Bissau was under serious threat from political instability and the influence of drug barons. Although he spoke firmly about these dangers, he did not provide any concrete information, evidence, or examples to support the allegations, leaving many citizens and observers questioning the real motives behind the coup.

State television later aired a declaration from the military, stating that the newly formed government will oversee a one-year transition period beginning on Thursday. The statement emphasized that the military leadership is acting in response to what it described as the “events of November 26.” At his swearing-in, Inta-A declared that the new military body had “immediately assumed supreme power in the state of Guinea-Bissau,” underscoring the abrupt and complete nature of the power shift.

Guinea-Bissau is widely recognized as a key transit hub for cocaine trafficked from Latin America to Europe, a factor that has long contributed to chronic instability. Over the decades, the country has been repeatedly shaken by military coups, attempted coups, and political turmoil, making democratic governance extremely difficult to sustain. This latest takeover fits into that pattern, occurring at a moment of heightened tension following Sunday’s elections.

The political climate had already become volatile after both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias prematurely declared victory. Their conflicting claims added confusion to an already tense electoral season. Before Inta-A’s appointment was made public, Dias openly accused Embaló of orchestrating what he called a “fake coup,” suggesting that the president had exaggerated or even manufactured the military threat in order to disrupt the electoral process. According to Dias, Embaló feared losing the election and sought to dismantle the process before the results could be confirmed.

In the capital city, Bissau, the atmosphere on Thursday was tense but calm. Soldiers patrolled key locations, and many residents remained indoors, either out of fear or uncertainty about what might unfold next. While there were no reports of widespread violence, the presence of troops and armored vehicles served as a clear signal that the military had consolidated control.

Regional and international reactions were swift. The African Union strongly condemned the coup and demanded the immediate release of President Embaló. His whereabouts remain unknown, adding to concerns about his safety and the transparency of events inside the country. In an interview with French media on Wednesday, Embaló stated that he had been arrested by soldiers, further fueling alarm among Guinea-Bissau’s international partners.

This military intervention is the latest in a long history of political upheavals in Guinea-Bissau, which has experienced multiple coups and periods of instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. It also reflects a broader pattern across West Africa, where disputed elections, weakened institutions, and growing public frustration have contributed to a rise in military takeovers. Analysts note that each successful coup risks emboldening other militaries in the region, potentially undermining democratic progress and deepening instability.