Troopers have appeared on state TV in Guinea-Bissau to say the nation’s army has seized energy, accusing its president of interfering in Sunday’s election as he revealed he had been “deposed”.
Navy spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama stated in a press release that the army had determined to “instantly depose the president of the republic” and droop all authorities establishments.
He stated they acted in response to the “discovery of an ongoing plan” that he stated aimed to destabilise the nation by making an attempt to “manipulate electoral outcomes”.
Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on the UN in 2023. File pic: Reuters
The “scheme was arrange by some nationwide politicians with the participation of a widely known drug lord, and home and international nationals”, Mr N’Tchama stated, however gave no particulars.
The nation has emerged as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.
The electoral course of was being suspended instantly, together with the actions of the media, whereas the nation’s borders have been being closed, he stated.
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló informed French tv community France 24: “I’ve been deposed.”
French information outlet Jeune Afrique quoted Mr Embaló as saying he was arrested in what he known as a coup led by the military chief of employees however didn’t undergo violence.
A world election observer informed Related Press the president “has been chatting with folks saying he is being held by the army”.
Gunfire was heard close to the presidential palace within the capital, Bissau, round midday on Wednesday.
A palace official stated a gaggle of armed males tried to assault the constructing, resulting in an alternate of gunfire with guards.
Gunshots have been additionally heard across the close by nationwide electoral fee, an inside ministry official stated.
Each sources spoke on situation of anonymity.
Roads resulting in the palace have been closed off, with checkpoints manned by closely armed and masked troopers, an AP reporter stated.
In the meantime, Mr Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa each claimed victory on Tuesday within the presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday, regardless that official provisional outcomes weren’t anticipated till Thursday.
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Mr Embaló, who was elected in February 2020, was as a consequence of stand down earlier this 12 months after serving a five-year time period.
That was prolonged till 4 September by the nation’s supreme court docket, however voting was delayed till this month.
It was the most recent of a number of coups lately in West Africa.
Guinea-Bissau has seen 4 coups and quite a few tried ones because it gained independence in 1974, together with one reported final month.
