By Julius Uche | Fact Frontier.
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The military in Guinea-Bissau has taken over the country. Soldiers announced on national television that they have removed the president from power. They have also closed all borders, stopping people from leaving or entering the country.
This military takeover happened just three days after a presidential election. That election had caused a big argument because both main candidates said they had won before the final results were even announced.
How Did the Military Take Over?
The soldiers moved quickly and followed a simple plan to seize power.
First, they took control of important government buildings in the capital city. This included the place where the president works and the main army building.
Next, soldiers went to the national TV station. This allowed them to speak directly to the whole country. On TV, they said they were forming a new "Military Command" to run the country and that all government offices were now closed.
A very important step was closing all the borders. This means no one can travel in or out of the country by land, air, or sea. It is a common thing for armies to do during a takeover to stop leaders from escaping and to keep other countries from getting involved.
The ousted president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, was able to make a quick phone call to a news station. From where he was being held, he confirmed the news, saying, "I have been deposed." This means he officially stated that the military had removed him from his job.
Why Did This Happen?
The main reason was the fight over the recent election. The situation was very tense because both the current president and his main rival both claimed they won. This created a lot of confusion and anger.
The military gave a reason for their actions. They said they had discovered a secret plan. They claimed that politicians and powerful drug gangs were working together to "change the election results" and "make the country unstable." The military said they took over to stop this plan and to bring back order.
However, many experts believe there is a deeper reason. Guinea-Bissau is known as a major route for illegal drug trafficking. These drug cartels have a lot of influence and money, and they have connections with powerful people in the army and government.
A new president could have disrupted this illegal drug business and hurt the profits of those involved. So, many believe the military stepped in to make sure they stayed in control and that the drug trade that benefits them was not interrupted.
What Are Other Countries Saying?
Other countries and international groups are not happy with this military takeover. They have criticized the soldiers' actions. A group of West African nations called ECOWAS said the coup was a "clear attempt to disrupt the democratic process." They and other groups are demanding that the military return power to the elected government.
In short, the military takeover on November 26, 2025, shows that in Guinea-Bissau, the power of the army and the problem of drug trafficking remain stronger than the people's vote.
