Breaking: Guinea-Bissau Army Takes ‘Total Control’, Closes Land, Air, Sea Borders
- Guinea-Bissau army officers on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, said they have seized power in the West African country
- The officers called the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” made the declaration following the West African nation's disputed presidential election
- The soldiers have deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and placed him under arrest at the general staff headquarters
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
A group of military officers in Guinea-Bissau has claimed “total control” of the country following the West African nation's disputed presidential election.
This comes a day after the top candidates in a tightly contested presidential election both declared victory.
Source: Twitter
The army officers declared that they had ordered the immediate suspension of the electoral process; the closure of all land, air, and sea borders, and an overnight curfew.
As reported by Al Jazeera, the officers called the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, read out a statement on television on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
The move came shortly after sustained gunfire was heard near the election commission’s headquarters, the presidential palace, and the Ministry of the Interior in the capital, Bissau.
The results of Sunday’s presidential vote were expected to be announced on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The legitimacy of this week’s election was called into question by civil society groups and other observers after the PAIGC was barred from running in the presidential race.
“There was going to be a stalemate over who was going to win this [week’s] election, and that is when the military stepped in.”
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo told French broadcaster France24 in a phone call that he had been deposed,” adding that he was “currently at the general staff headquarters”.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent Nicolas Haque said the head of the main opposition PAIGC party, Domingos Simoes Pereira, has also been arrested.
“As well, we’ve just heard that the military is trying to cut off the Internet. There’s a curfew in place.”
He added that the army officer leading the coup, Denis N’Canha, served as the head of the presidential guard.
“The man supposed to protect the president himself has put the president under arrest.”
Source: Twitter
Guinea-Bissau foils pre-election coup
Recall that Guinea-Bissau’s military says it has foiled an alleged coup attempt just hours before election campaigning was due to begin.
Senior officers, including Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, were arrested in a coordinated overnight operation.
Authorities claim the plot was aimed at disrupting the country’s November 2025 presidential and legislative elections.
Military Coup Plot: Presidency Issues Fresh Warnings
Legit.ng also reported that the Presidency warned that coup rumours hurt investor confidence and harm Nigeria’s global image.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urged the media to avoid sensational reporting and wait for verified security information.
The Defence Headquarters also dismissed coup claims and affirmed the military's loyalty to democracy.
Source: Legit.ng
