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Guinea-Bissau Military Officers Remove President Umaro Sissoco, Suspend Electoral Process

November 26, 2025

2 min read

Guinea-Bissau, 26 November 2025 - Senior military officers in Guinea-Bissau declared on Wednesday that they had ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and suspended the country's contentious electoral process, insisting the action was essential to bring clarity before restoring constitutional governance.

The statement followed reports of gunfire near the presidential palace earlier in the day, heightening fears of instability in the West African nation.

Guinea-Bissau held presidential and legislative elections on 23 November 2025 to choose a new president and members of the National People's Assembly.

Official results were due on Thursday, but tensions escalated as both the incumbent, Embaló, and his leading challenger, Fernando Dias da Costa, prematurely claimed victory.

France 24 reported that the soldiers had seized full control of the government and ordered the closure of all national borders.

The coup marks the latest chapter in Guinea-Bissau's turbulent history since independence from Portugal in 1974, which has included multiple military takeovers.

Among the most prominent were those in November 1980, September 2003 and April 2012.

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Before he became President of Guinea-Bissau, Embalo served as the country's Prime Minister under President Jose Mario Vaz, from 2016 to 2018.

Embalo ascended to presidency in February 2020 after his predecessor also faced challenges that forced him to step down.

Home to about 1.9 million people, according to World Bank data, Guinea-Bissau ranks among the world's poorest and most unstable nations.

Guinea-Bissau is bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean

The upheaval echoes recent unrest in Cameroon - another country in West Africa -where disputed elections earlier this month sparked widespread protests and deadly clashes.

There, the world's oldest president, Paul Biya, was declared the winner, prompting his main rival, Issa Bakary Tchiroma, to flee into exile in the Gambia.

Embalo ascended to presidency in February 2020 after his predecessor also faced challenges that forced him to step down. — Embattled Guinea Bissau President Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló, who the military officers say have ousted him | Credit: Videograb

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Guinea-Bissau Military Officers Remove President Umaro Sissoco, Suspend Electoral Process

November 26, 2025

2 min read

By Hassan Wekesa & Agencies - Editor

The statement followed reports of gunfire near the presidential palace earlier in the day, heightening fears of instability in the West African nation.

Guinea-Bissau held presidential and legislative elections on 23 November 2025 to choose a new president and members of the National People's Assembly.

Official results were due on Thursday, but tensions escalated as both the incumbent, Embaló, and his leading challenger, Fernando Dias da Costa, prematurely claimed victory.

France 24 reported that the soldiers had seized full control of the government and ordered the closure of all national borders.

The coup marks the latest chapter in Guinea-Bissau's turbulent history since independence from Portugal in 1974, which has included multiple military takeovers.

Among the most prominent were those in November 1980, September 2003 and April 2012.

More from Kenya

2 hours ago

IGAD Member States Review Progress on Refugee and IDP Support

11 hours ago

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Before he became President of Guinea-Bissau, Embalo served as the country's Prime Minister under President Jose Mario Vaz, from 2016 to 2018.

Embalo ascended to presidency in February 2020 after his predecessor also faced challenges that forced him to step down.

Home to about 1.9 million people, according to World Bank data, Guinea-Bissau ranks among the world's poorest and most unstable nations.

Guinea-Bissau is bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean

The upheaval echoes recent unrest in Cameroon - another country in West Africa -where disputed elections earlier this month sparked widespread protests and deadly clashes.

There, the world's oldest president, Paul Biya, was declared the winner, prompting his main rival, Issa Bakary Tchiroma, to flee into exile in the Gambia.

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Guinea-Bissau Military Officers Remove President Umaro Sissoco, Suspend Electoral Process

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