New Leadership in Guinea-Bissau Following Military Coup

Fri Dec 05 2025 10:54:48 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

General Horta N'Tam has been appointed as the interim president of Guinea-Bissau after a recent coup, following the ousting of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who allegedly staged the coup.

In a swift political upheaval, General Horta N'Tam was sworn in as the new transitional president of Guinea-Bissau a day after a military coup. The coup has been marred by accusations against the former president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, suggesting he orchestrated the situation to manipulate election outcomes. Meanwhile, political analysts express concern over the implications for democracy in the region, as calls for electoral integrity grow louder amidst ongoing unrest.

An army general has been sworn in as Guinea-Bissau's new head of state a day after an apparent coup.

Gen Horta N'Tam becomes the transitional president for a period of one year. He took the oath on Thursday, in brief and muted proceedings at army headquarters.

N'Tam, who until a day earlier had been head of the presidential guard, barely cracked a smile during his swearing-in.

Some civil society groups have accused outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of masterminding a simulated coup against himself with military collaboration, alleging that it serves to delay the election results to prevent his defeat.

This manoeuvre aims to prevent the publication of the electoral results scheduled for tomorrow, stated the civil society coalition Popular Front.

Presidential rival Fernando Dias expressed similar allegations against Embaló, although the former president has not publicly addressed these claims.

The military has since halted the electoral process and the announcement of results from Sunday’s presidential elections.

An army source indicated that Embaló is currently in custody but is being treated well. In response, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chair of the African Union, demanded the immediate release of the former president and all detained officials.

Guinea-Bissau, sandwiched between Senegal and Guinea, has been known for military influence and political instability since its independence from Portugal in 1974, experiencing at least nine coups or attempted coups in the last fifty years.

In a joint statement, election observer leaders from the African Union and ECOWAS expressed deep concern over the coup announcement, noting the orderly election process before its disruption. Portugal urged a return to constitutional order and condemned any acts of violence.

Embaló, who sought to make history as the first president to serve consecutive terms in thirty years, had initially signaled he would not run again. However, disputes over his legitimacy and accusations of drug trafficking haunt the political landscape of this impoverished nation.