By Eteteonline
Guinea-Bissau’s military leaders announced on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, that they had taken “total control” of the nation, detaining President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, halting the election process, and closing the airports and borders. “National instability,” “electoral irregularities,” and the necessity to restore order were the reasons given by the military.
A curfew was enforced, soldiers blocked main access points, and heavy gunfire was reported close to the presidential palace. Even though the electoral commission had not yet announced official results, President Umaro Embaló, who is running for reelection, and his primary rival, Fernando Dias, declared themselves the winners of the presidential election, prompting the military to assume control.
A gang of military officers seized “total control” of the nation the day after President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias, the two front-runners, both declared victory. They halted the election process “until further notice,” referring to themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order.”
In addition, the military detained a number of high-ranking military and government officials, including the chief of staff and the interior minister, as well as opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira, who has been disqualified from the election by the Supreme Court. Both of the front-runners declared their victories in the November 23 presidential election, and the coup took place shortly before the results were officially announced. Unknown armed individuals attacked, according to the National Electoral Commission.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), and the African Union (AU) sent a combined delegation to Guinea-Bissau to observe Sunday’s presidential election. Jonathan, one of the 36 prominent observers, wishes you luck.
The joint mission voiced “deep concern” on the military intervention in Guinea-Bissau in a statement following the coup. It’s unfortunate that the news was made right after the missions had wrapped up their meetings with the two front-runners for president, who promised to respect the people’s will.
The observers demanded the immediate release of all detained officials and urged the AU and ECOWAS to act quickly to restore constitutional order. Reiterating their stringent zero-tolerance policy for illegal changes of administration, ECOWAS and the African Union denounced the coup.
The coup was strongly denounced by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which said it posed a major threat to regional stability and democracy. Nigeria reiterated its resolve to restore peace by cooperating with both regional and global partners.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “The Federal Government condemns this act of military insurrection, which undermines the democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability not only of Guinea-Bissau but of the entire West African sub-region. This represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the Economic Community of West African States Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means.”
Nigeria showed support for the people of Guinea-Bissau by demanding full respect for the sanctity of the country’s democratic institutions, the prompt and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, and the protection and security of everyone incarcerated.
As a crucial member of ECOWAS and the African Union, Nigeria will collaborate closely with its regional and global partners to take all necessary steps to guarantee Guinea-Bissau’s quick return to normalcy and constitutional governance, Ebienfa stated. Nigeria restated its steadfast dedication to advancing democracy, peace, and stability throughout the African continent.
People who rushed to the airport to try to flee the country after the coup was announced were reportedly stuck there. Following a coup d’état in Guinea-Bissau, several African leaders were stranded there, including former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed reporters in Abuja that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. Along with Mohamed Chambas and other members of his delegation, he departed on a chartered flight.
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