Guinea-Bissau’s electoral commission says it can no longer conclude the November 23 presidential election after armed men seized ballots, tally sheets, computers and destroyed servers containing results.
The attack occurred on November 26, a day before provisional results were due. “We lack the materials and logistics to continue,” electoral official Idrissa Djalo said, noting that documents from all regions and equipment belonging to 45 staff members were taken.
Following the assault, the military seized power and swore in Major-General Horta Inta-A as transitional president on November 27, effectively halting the vote. The junta has since banned protests and strikes. Inta-A has announced a one-year transition and named a 28-member cabinet dominated by allies of the ousted president.
The coup came amid a disputed election in which both incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa claimed early victory. Embalo later said he had been arrested and has fled to Brazzaville. Nigeria has placed Dias da Costa under protection, citing threats to his life.
The PAIGC party, barred from fielding a candidate, has accused authorities of suppressing the opposition.
ECOWAS is pressing for a return to constitutional rule. A delegation led by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio met military leaders on Monday, urging a full restoration of democratic order. The bloc will reconvene on December 14 to assess the crisis and consider sanctions.
