A group of army officers has seized power in Guinea-Bissau, deposing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and suspending the electoral process.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and Mozambican ex-President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, who were in the country as election observers, are safe but stranded in their hotel rooms.
Confirmed reports have it that flights in and out of the country have been suspended, and there is no authority to discuss exit plans.
The military, which claimed to have formed “The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” said it took power in response to a destabilization plan concocted by “certain national politicians” and “well-known national and foreign drug barons,” as well as an attempt to manipulate the election results.
Gunfire erupted near the electoral commission headquarters, presidential palace, and interior ministry, with witnesses describing scenes of panic.
The electoral commission had been due to announce provisional results from Sunday’s election, in which Embalo faced off against top challenger Fernando Dias.
The international community has condemned the coup, with the African Union and ECOWAS calling for the restoration of constitutional order.
The observers deplored the attempt to disrupt the democratic process and expressed concern about the arrests of top officials, including those in charge of the electoral process.
“We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process and the gains that have been achieved thus far,” the observers stated, urging the armed forces to release detained officials and allow the electoral process to proceed.
