Arrest of Guinea-Bissau President: Embalo Claims Attempted Coup.

According to ТСН: The military in Guinea-Bissau has arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who recently spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. This occurred just days after he announced his victory in the presidential elections.

According to information provided by Jeune Afrique, Embalo referred to the situation as

"a coup d'état"

Announcing the arrest, he noted that he was detained around noon in his office at the presidential palace. Along with him, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, General Biague Na Ntan, his deputy, General Mamadu Ture, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Boche Kande, were also arrested.

Embalo stated that no violence was used against him and that the coup was organized by the Chief of the Land Forces. According to several sources, gunfire was heard around the palace and electoral commission, and soldiers took positions on the main road to the presidential residence.

Election and Its Consequences

The presidential elections in Guinea-Bissau took place on November 23rd, occurred peacefully, but without the participation of the main opposition leader, Domingos Simões Pereira, who was denied the opportunity to run. The President stated that, according to his calculations, he received 65% of the votes.

The official election results are expected to be published on November 27th.

Embalo became popular in October 2022 when he visited Kyiv and conveyed to Volodymyr Zelenskyy an offer for direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin.

In early 2025, Vladimir Putin urgently left a meeting of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives due to an important international phone call with Embalo. The leader of Guinea-Bissau was also one of the few guests of Putin at the May 9th parade.

The situation in Guinea-Bissau raises concerns in the international community, given past instances of political instability in the country. The arrest of the president may lead to new unrest and escalate the conflict between the military and legally elected representatives of power.