Trouble in Guinea-Bissau: Soldiers Take Charge After Election Drama

Soldiers Take Over

• Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have taken control, announcing their move on state TV.
• This occurred just days after a national election, with reports of gunfire near the presidential palace.
• President Umaro Sissoco Embaló told French media that he had been removed from power and arrested.

Soldiers' Claims

• Spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama stated they acted due to a discovered plan to manipulate election results.
• Claimed politicians, a known drug trafficker, and others were involved in the scheme.
• Soldiers halted the election process, shut down media outlets, and closed the country's borders.

Historical Context

• Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups, with four successful ones since independence.
• Known as a key transit point for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.

Election Controversy

• The election on Sunday was supposed to be peaceful.
• Both the president and opposition candidate claimed victory before official results.
• On Wednesday, gunshots were heard near the presidential palace, roads blocked by armed soldiers.

International Reaction

• An international election observer reported the arrest of the election commission head.
• The commission's office was sealed off by the military.
• President Embaló told French TV he was arrested in a coup led by the army chief of staff but was unharmed.

Legitimacy Questions

• Embaló has faced questions about his legitimacy.
• Opposition claims his term ended earlier this year, but the Supreme Court ruled it should extend until September.
• The election was delayed until this month.