Shortly after the arrest of Embalo, a group of military personnel announced full control over the situation in the country, as reported by the BBC.
Additionally, the Chief of the General Staff of the armed forces, his deputy, and the Minister of Internal Affairs were arrested.
Later, the military appeared on television, announcing the suspension of the electoral process and stating that they would govern the country until further notice.
The officers also reported the establishment of a "Supreme Military Command for Restoring Order" and urged citizens to remain calm.
Furthermore, they announced the closure of the borders of Guinea-Bissau.
The statement was made by Brigadier General Denis Ncanha, who is the head of the military department of the presidential administration.
Eyewitnesses reported that around noon local time, gunfire occurred near the presidential palace and the central electoral commission in the capital, Bissau. People in camouflage took positions on the road to the presidential residence.
It is still unknown who exactly opened fire and if there are any casualties.
The presidential and parliamentary elections in Guinea-Bissau took place on November 23. Both the incumbent president Umaro Sissoco Embalo and his opponent, opposition candidate Fernando Dias, claimed victory.
The official election results were scheduled to be announced on Thursday, November 27.
Embalo, who became president in early 2020, had previously dissolved parliament twice, where opposition forces were dominant, and also appointed and postponed new elections.
Later on Wednesday, Embalo told France 24 by phone: "I have been overthrown."
Guinea-Bissau is a small country with a population of just over 2 million, known for its poverty and instability. Over the past 55 years, there have been nine coups and attempted coups here. Umaro Sissoco Embalo has faced attempts at overthrowing him twice, the last time in December 2023.
Before gaining independence in 1974, Guinea-Bissau was a Portuguese colony. President Embalo was educated at universities in Lisbon and Madrid.
