Coup 3 days after election: Guinea-Bissau’s president announces his arrest

A coup has taken place in Guinea-Bissau, a small country in West Africa, just three days after its presidential election. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has announced that he was arrested by military forces. Shortly afterward, a group of military officers declared that the country was fully under their control, the BBC reports.

According to the report, the chief of staff of Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces, his deputy, and the interior minister were also arrested.

Later, a group of officers appeared on TV, announcing that they had suspended the electoral process and would govern the country until further notice.

The military also announced the creation of a “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and called on the population to remain calm.

As noted, the officers closed the country’s borders.

Guinea-Bissau is a small West African country with a population of just over 2 million. It is one of the poorest countries in Africa, having experienced nine coups and coup attempts over the past 55 years.

Before gaining independence in 1974, Guinea-Bissau was a Portuguese colony. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló studied at the universities of Lisbon and Madrid.