On November 26, 2025, military officials in Guinea-Bissau declared “total control” of the country following heavy gunfire near the presidential palace and subsequent events after recent general elections. President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who was favored to win, was reportedly detained along with key officials inside a military compound.
General Denis N’Canha, leading the military office of the presidency, announced the military takeover during a press conference, stating that a coalition of armed forces would lead until further notice. He cited a conspiracy involving drug lords aimed at destabilizing the government, which prompted the military’s actions, including the closure of borders and suspension of all media activity.
The military’s announcement came just days after the elections, during which both Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had claimed victory. Provisional election results were expected the following day.
Guinea-Bissau, marked by a history of political instability and coups, faces ongoing issues related to crime and governance, with the military’s actions further complicating an already tense political landscape.
