Military Coup in Guinea-Bissau - President Embaló Arrested Amid Election Turmoil

On November 26, 2025, Guinea-Bissau, a West African nation long plagued by political instability, descended into chaos as a faction of the military seized power in an apparent coup d'état. 

Soldiers stormed the presidential palace in the capital, Bissau, around midday, arresting President Umaro Sissoco Embaló without reported violence.

The country's top security officials, including the armed forces chief of staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan, and Interior Minister Botché Candé, were also arrested. 

The military has declared "total control" of the country, suspended the electoral process, and closed borders. 

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This dramatic escalation comes just one day before the national electoral commission was set to announce provisional results from the November 23 presidential vote, which had already sparked heated disputes.

 Embaló, who claimed to have won Sunday's election with 65% of the vote, described the event as a "coup d'état" led by the army chief of staff.

The coup follows disputed presidential election results, with both Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias claiming victory.

Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups and instability, with this being the ninth coup or attempted coup since independence from Portugal in 1974.