Guinea – A group of soldiers in Guinea-Bissau announced on Wednesday that they had taken full control of the country. This came as preliminary results of Sunday’s presidential election were expected to be announced.
Guinea – A group of soldiers in Guinea-Bissau announced on Wednesday that they had taken full control of the country. This came as preliminary results of Sunday’s presidential election were expected to be announced.
The capital, Bissau, has been tense since Wednesday morning. Eyewitnesses and journalists from international news agencies reported hearing heavy gunfire near the presidential palace and in front of the National Electoral Commission headquarters.
Local residents said the sound of gunfire erupted suddenly, causing passersby to flee for safety, while armed forces deployed around government buildings.
shooting
The same sources confirmed that the shooting continued until approximately 1:00 PM GMT. However, it remains unclear who is behind the military movements, or whether it constitutes a new coup attempt or simply clashes within army units.
These developments coincided with widespread anticipation in the country as it awaited the announcement of the preliminary results of the presidential elections on Thursday.
In these elections, incumbent President Omar Sissoco Embaló, seeking re-election, is competing against prominent candidate Fernando Dias. This is taking place amidst fierce competition and expectations of a sharp political divide.
The tense atmosphere reflects the heightened anxiety that precedes any election in Guinea-Bissau, a country known for its political instability since independence. Guinea-Bissau has a long history of military coups and power grabs, enjoying only intermittent periods of political stability, making any military action a cause for concern both domestically and regionally.
According to observers, these recent developments could directly impact the course of the electoral process. They also affect the future of governance in one of the most fragile countries in West Africa.
