Bissau, 26 November, 2025 / 11:47 PM
Guinea-Bissau has plunged into a new wave of uncertainty after soldiers reportedly seized power and detained President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, even as Catholic Priests from across West Africa appealed for serenity and respect for democratic processes in the tense post-election period.
On Wednesday, November 26, a group of army officers said they had seized power in the West African nation, a day before the planned announcement of results from the contested November 23 presidential election, Reuters reported.
Army officers in Guinea-Bissau announced on state television through their spokesperson, Diniz N’Tchama that they had removed President Embaló from power. They declared the electoral process suspended, closed the country’s borders, and imposed a nationwide curfew.
The officers claimed their intervention was intended to prevent an alleged scheme by certain politicians, reportedly backed by “a notorious drug trafficker,” aimed at creating instability in the country.
They further revealed the creation of a governing body called the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” which they said would oversee the nation’s affairs indefinitely, and instructed the population to “remain calm”.
Speaking to France 24 by phone later on Wednesday, Embaló confirmed the development, saying, “I have been deposed.”
On Monday, November 24, incumbent Embalo and main challenger Fernando Dias both declared victory before the official results were released.
Reuters further reported that sustained gunfire broke out on November 26 near the headquarters of the national election commission in Guinea-Bissau's capital.
In a video message released by his campaign on Wednesday evening, Mr. Dias announced that he was safe and at liberty, stating that armed men had attempted to detain him.
The latest development in Guinea-Bissau follows concerns expressed by members of the Regional Union of the Diocesan Priests of West Africa (RUPWA) about the country's political and social tensions after the election.
In a statement issued Tuesday, November 25, RUPWA members condemned any action that encourages violence or division among Bissau-Guineans and called for respect for the popular will expressed at the polls.
“The will expressed through the ballot box is sacred and must be received responsibly,” the Diocesan Priests from the member nations of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA) said.
They noted that “the current moment requires serenity, civic commitment, and fidelity to what the people decided through the vote.”
RUPWA members emphasized that national stability depends directly on the protection of peace and respect for the democratic choices of citizens.
The Catholic Bishops ministering in Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Togo encouraged Guineans to reject violence, remain calm as the institutional process unfolds, and uphold the values of peace and reconciliation.
“The true strength of a people lies in their capacity to dialogue, to unite, and to build the future together,” they said, inviting all citizens to let every action be guided “by peace, fraternity, and mutual respect.”
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