Guinea-Bissau was thrown into fresh uncertainty on Wednesday as senior military officers declared they had seized “total control” of the country, abruptly shutting all borders and freezing the ongoing election process.
The announcement came just three days after citizens cast their ballots in tightly watched presidential and legislative polls.
Tension in the capital, Bissau, had been building throughout the day. Residents reported bursts of gunfire near the presidential palace, while soldiers in full combat gear blocked access to the main road leading toward the complex.
By mid-afternoon, key government zones were firmly in the hands of the military.
The declaration was delivered from army headquarters, where officers read out a formal statement asserting authority over the state. According to journalists from AFP who were present, the military’s message marked a major turning point in what has been a fast-unfolding political crisis.
The sudden military intervention has deepened concerns about stability in the West African nation, long plagued by power struggles and coup attempts.
Authorities have not yet offered clarity on the fate of the election results or the leadership of the outgoing government, leaving the public bracing for what comes next.
