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Guinea-Bissau Military Says It Has Deposed President and Suspended Electoral Process

The takeover halts a disputed election whose provisional results were expected Thursday.

Overview

  • Officers appearing on state TV announced a High Military Command had removed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and suspended all state institutions.
  • They said the electoral process was paused, borders were closed, media activity was restricted, and a nighttime curfew would be enforced until further notice.
  • Gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, the election commission and the interior ministry before soldiers set up checkpoints in central Bissau.
  • Embaló told media he was detained and alleged the armed forces chief of staff was behind the move, while military sources said he was being well treated.
  • Provisional results from Sunday’s vote had not been released, and both Embaló and challenger Fernando Dias had already claimed victory.