In a dramatic military coup, Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo was ousted just days before election results were to be announced, plunging the nation into turmoil once again.
Major-General Horta Nta Na Man has been installed as the new transitional president by the military, who claim to have seized complete control under a newly formed command.
The coup has triggered gunfire near the presidential palace and immediate actions to enforce curfews, close borders, and silence media, signaling a stark return to authoritarian rule.
Allegations of election rigging fueled the military's actions, exposing deep political tensions and a fragile democratic landscape in this West African nation.
The move has drawn swift international condemnation from the UN, ECOWAS, and other bodies, all urging a restoration of constitutional order and democratic processes.
This unsettling event marks the fifth coup in Guinea-Bissau's history, raising concerns about the rising trend of military interventions throughout West Africa and the impact on emerging democracies in the region.