Gunfire echoed across Bissau on Wednesday as military officers declared they had taken “total control” of Guinea-Bissau, suspending the ongoing electoral process and sealing the country’s borders. The move came just three days after legislative and presidential elections, deepening uncertainty in a nation long marked by coups, attempted coups, and political turbulence.

Witnesses reported armed soldiers blocking the main access roads to the presidential palace while securing strategic locations in the capital. State institutions were quickly overwhelmed. AFP correspondents described uniformed officers occupying key areas and restricting movement, effectively signalling the collapse of civilian authority.

The military announcement, read at army headquarters, said the takeover was necessary due to what officers called “serious threats” to national stability. No further details were provided, and the statement did not clarify whether the military intends to install an interim authority or retain power indefinitely.

President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was reportedly detained by soldiers during the confrontation. His status remains unclear, although regional diplomats say attempts are already underway to establish contact. The president had previously survived a violent coup attempt in 2022, and Wednesday’s developments underscore the fragility of the political environment leading up to this election cycle.

The confrontation follows days of mounting friction after election officials delayed the release of results, with rival political factions accusing each other of interference. Analysts say the delay created an opening for opportunistic actors inside the military to move against the government. 

Guinea-Bissau, a nation of just over two million people, has experienced more than a dozen coups and coup attempts since independence. Its strategic coastline and longstanding political fractures make it highly vulnerable to military intervention, organised criminal networks, and foreign influence.

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, which has repeatedly intervened to stabilise Guinea-Bissau, is monitoring developments closely. A regional diplomatic source told Axis Signal that emergency consultations are underway, although no formal statement has yet been issued.

International partners, including the European Union and the United States, are expected to react swiftly, given the implications for West African stability and the risk of renewed political violence.

The detainment of a sitting president, the shutdown of borders, and the suspension of elections mark one of the most serious escalations in Guinea-Bissau’s recent history. The coming hours will determine whether this is a temporary seizure of authority or the beginning of a new chapter of military rule.