Brazzaville, Congo – Ousted Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló arrived in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville, on Saturday afternoon, according to Agence France-Presse. This comes just days after he was overthrown and the military seized power in his country.
Government sources in Congo said that Embaló, who was forced to leave his country following the coup that ensued after the announcement of the preliminary election results, landed in Brazzaville on a private plane. He had come from Senegal, where he had initially sought refuge after the coup.
In Guinea-Bissau, the largest opposition party accused what it called an “armed militia” of storming its headquarters in the capital, Bissau. This comes amid heightened tensions in the country since the military seized power on Wednesday, just hours before the preliminary results were announced.
The true reasons behind the coup remain unclear. Speculation is mounting, with many suggesting that Embaló himself had tacit approval, according to local political circles.
A source from the Congolese presidency stated that Embaló—53 years old, who had already declared victory in the elections—plans to remain in Congo-Brazzaville. He maintains close ties with President Denis Sassou Nguesso of that country and makes frequent visits there.
Guinea-Bissau, a West African coastal nation, has experienced a long history of coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. This has consistently made election results a source of controversy and conflict. In an escalation of tensions, the African Union announced on Friday the suspension of Guinea-Bissau’s membership in its bodies. This came just two days after the military seized power.
