Guinea-Bissau Falls to Yet Another Military Coup

Guinea-Bissau has once again slipped under military control after gunfire erupted near the Presidential Palace on 26 November, leading to the ouster of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The takeover marks yet another entry in the country’s long history of coups, underscoring chronic instability and deep-rooted political fractures.

Swift Seizure of Power by the Military

Hours after heavy firing and explosions shook the capital, soldiers appeared on state television to announce the deposition of the President and the formation of a High Military Command. Borders were sealed, media broadcasts halted and a curfew imposed. This is the twelfth successful military takeover in a decade across Africa and a familiar scenario for Guinea-Bissau, where armed interventions often overshadow electoral processes.

The Men Behind the Coup

Brigadier-General Denis N’Canha, a low-key career soldier from the Balanta ethnic group, led the Presidential Guard responsible for protecting Embaló. Despite a reputation for loyalty, he moved to depose the leader he was entrusted to shield. Major General Horta Nta Na Man, also a Balanta and until recently Chief of General Staff, has been sworn in as transitional President. He claims the coup was necessary to stop a power grab by narco-traffickers and promises a one-year transitional phase.

A Nation Mired in Political and Economic Turmoil

Guinea-Bissau has long been synonymous with political volatility, corruption and criminal networks. Despite being a major global producer of cashew nuts, nearly 40% of its population lives in extreme poverty. The country has become a key transit hub for cocaine smuggled from Latin America to Europe, fuelled by weak institutions and frequent military interventions. The breakdown of democratic processes, including disputed elections and dissolved legislatures, continues to undermine public trust.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Guinea-Bissau gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
• It ranks 174th on the UN Human Development Index.
• Cashew nuts account for over 80% of its export earnings.
• Africa has seen at least 12 successful coups in 10 years.

Regional Alarm and International Reaction

ECOWAS, the African Union and the UN have condemned the coup and urged the restoration of constitutional order. Foreign dignitaries, including former leaders from Nigeria and Mozambique, were stranded during the upheaval. Observers warn that Guinea-Bissau remains trapped in a cycle where military dominance replaces democratic governance, leaving citizens resigned rather than reactive. With yet another promise of a return to civilian rule, the country waits to see whether history will repeat itself once more.