The Guinea-Bissau military has reportedly foiled an attempted coup and arrested several soldiers linked to the plot, authorities confirmed on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in Bissau, the country’s Deputy Chief of Staff, General Mamadu Ture, said the failed coup was intended to disrupt the upcoming presidential and legislative elections.
“This action aimed to disrupt the electoral process,” General Ture stated.
The development comes less than 24 hours before the official start of election campaigns scheduled for Saturday, ahead of polls expected to take place in about three weeks.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who remains the frontrunner after the disqualification of the main opposition party, had warned on Thursday that his government would not tolerate any form of instability during the campaign period.
“No disorder will be tolerated,” he declared after a cabinet meeting. “The government has taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of every candidate during this campaign.”
According to Ture, Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, head of a military training centre located roughly 30 kilometres from the capital, is among those arrested and is believed to be one of the masterminds of the plot.
Military intelligence sources revealed that the arrests followed a coordinated overnight operation involving the army and national security services. Security forces have since tightened patrols across Bissau, with troops stationed around government buildings and key public areas.
Guinea-Bissau, a Portuguese-speaking West African nation, has a long history of political instability and coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Although the country has experienced several military takeovers over the decades, recent years have seen modest progress toward democratic governance.
The situation in Guinea-Bissau comes amid renewed regional concern following reports of an alleged coup attempt in Nigeria, where over 16 senior officers have been detained in connection with a similar plot.
Observers fear the back-to-back developments reflect a growing wave of military discontent threatening democratic stability across parts of West Africa.
