Overview
- An officers’ group announced it had deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and assumed control, declaring the electoral process halted and all borders shut.
- Gunfire was reported near the presidential palace in Bissau as troops blocked key access roads and residents fled nearby areas, with Embaló’s whereabouts initially unclear.
- Earlier in the day, Embaló told Jeune Afrique he was briefly detained at the palace, accused the army chief of leading a coup, and said the interior minister and senior commanders were arrested.
- He said no violence was inflicted on him during the alleged detention, while local media reported intermittent shooting in the capital.
- Sunday’s overdue elections saw both Embaló and independent challenger Fernando Dias claim victory, with provisional results scheduled for Thursday and the main opposition excluded from the vote.