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Turmoil in Bissau as President Embaló Arrested Amid Heavy Gunfire

Helen Okoro 3 days ago 3 min read

By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro

Panic gripped the streets of Bissau on Wednesday afternoon as President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau was reportedly arrested by armed men, according to senior government sources who spoke to the BBC. The dramatic development unfolded just days after a tense presidential election and has plunged the small West African nation into yet another political crisis.

Gunfire erupted near the presidential palace at roughly 13:00 GMT, sending shockwaves across the capital. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with bursts of heavy shooting echoing through the city centre. “People just started running—cars turned around, shops closed instantly, and everyone was looking for somewhere safe,” a local shopkeeper told AFP.

While the identity of the armed men remains unclear, their swift and decisive action has raised fears of yet another attempted overthrow in a country long haunted by political instability. Guinea-Bissau, a nation of fewer than two million people, has experienced nine coups or attempted coups since 1980—an unfortunate record that has shaped its fragile democratic journey.

The incident occurs just three days after a controversial presidential election marked by sharp divisions and allegations of political interference. Tensions escalated when the main opposition candidate, widely seen as a strong contender, was abruptly disqualified—a move that triggered protests and accusations of manipulation.

Both President Embaló and his closest rival, Fernando Dias, have claimed victory ahead of the official results, which were due to be announced on Thursday. The political standoff deepened as supporters of each camp accused the other of attempting to subvert the democratic process. Analysts warned that the volatile situation was ripe for unrest—warnings that now appear chillingly prescient.

As the gunfire intensified near the palace, hundreds of residents fled on foot or in vehicles, desperate to escape the unfolding violence. Families huddled in nearby buildings, while others raced toward safer neighbourhoods or attempted to leave the city altogether. Videos circulating online showed terrified civilians ducking behind parked cars as shots rang out.

Government insiders say the president was inside the palace complex when the armed men stormed the area. Although details remain murky, sources confirm that Embaló has been taken into custody. It is not yet known whether he has been harmed or where he is being held.

International observers have long expressed concern about Guinea-Bissau’s political fragility. The former Portuguese colony has struggled with a cycle of governance crises often linked to military interference and deep factional rivalries. Embaló himself has faced two attempts to oust him since taking office, the most recent in December 2023, when heavily armed assailants clashed with presidential guards in an overnight attack.

The African Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations are expected to issue statements as the situation evolves. Regional bodies have previously played significant roles in mediating Guinea-Bissau’s political disputes, but the speed and intensity of today’s events may complicate their response.

Fernando Dias, the rival presidential claimant, has not yet commented publicly on the reported arrest. Analysts say any statement from him could either calm or inflame the situation, depending on its tone and content. For now, uncertainty dominates the political landscape.

Meanwhile, residents of Bissau remain trapped between fear and confusion. With many unsure of which faction is now in control, a tense stillness has settled over parts of the city as citizens await clarity. “We’ve lived through coups before,” said a university student sheltering at a friend’s home. “But this one feels different—like no one really knows what’s happening or who is behind it.”

As night approaches, Guinea-Bissau faces yet another turning point in its turbulent history. Whether this marks the beginning of a new political chapter or the continuation of an ongoing cycle of instability remains to be seen. For now, the nation—and the world—waits.