Uncertainty thickened across Guinea-Bissau’s political landscape as President Umaro Sissoco Embaló reportedly claimed he was detained by his own military leadership, a dramatic twist emerging while the nation anxiously awaits the final results of its general elections.
The unfolding situation has heightened fears of a renewed power struggle in a country long familiar with political volatility.
The account, first circulated through regional media, suggested that the president was briefly held by senior military officials after a confrontation he described as an attempted power grab.
His remarks added another layer of unpredictability to an already tense post-election atmosphere, where both he and opposition leader Fernando Dias had declared victory.
Details of the incident surfaced on Wednesday, after The Africa Report cited Embaló’s comments to Jeune Afrique, noting that he claimed the episode occurred around midday inside the presidential palace.
According to him, no physical force was used as the standoff played out between the presidency and the top brass of the armed forces.
“This was orchestrated to overturn democratic choice,” he reportedly told the publication, describing the event as a coup attempt.
The same report pointed to the arrest of several top officials, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Biaguê Na Ntan, Deputy Chief of Staff General Mamadou Touré, and the country’s Interior Minister, Botché Candé.
Their detention has further muddied the political waters and sparked intense debate about who currently controls the levers of power.
Moreover, the timing of the crisis has compounded the tension. The nation had just concluded voting on Sunday, and the electoral commission had yet to release an official outcome.
A senior political analyst in Bissau, speaking on background, remarked, “The uncertainty is a breeding ground for dangerous claims. Everyone wants to be seen as the legitimate winner.”
Gunfire echoed around the presidential palace earlier on Wednesday, prompting speculation of a brewing coup and forcing many residents to flee the area.
A civil society advocate described the situation as “a stark reminder that Guinea-Bissau’s democratic stability remains fragile.”
However, the broader fear now centres on how the unresolved election will intersect with allegations of military interference.
Observers across West Africa are calling for calm, stressing the need for transparent results to avert further escalation.
The coming days are expected to shape Guinea-Bissau’s immediate future, and the region is already watching closely as events continue to shift at speed.