Guinea-Bissau’s military says it has foiled a coup attempt aimed at disrupting the country’s upcoming general elections.
In a statement, the military said it “successfully thwarted an attempt to subvert the constitutional order,” confirming the arrest of several senior officers accused of plotting to derail the November 23, 2025, polls.
Among those detained is Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, director of the Cuméré Military Training Centre and former president of the Military High Court. He was reportedly arrested at his home in Bissau as investigations continue.
The alleged coup attempt comes amid rising political tension. In August, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo dismissed Prime Minister Rui Duarte de Barros and replaced him with Braima Camara, a former opposition leader — a move seen as strengthening Embalo’s bid for re-election.
Guinea-Bissau, which has experienced multiple coups since independence from Portugal, remains deeply divided over Embalo’s tenure. The opposition insists his mandate ended in February, but the Supreme Court extended it to September. Embalo has since set elections for November 30, further fueling political uncertainty.
