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On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, a group of army officers in Guinea-Bissau announced on state television that they had seized power and deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The military high command declared the suspension of all state institutions, the electoral process, and the closure of borders, imposing an overnight curfew.
Current Situation
- Coup d’État: The military command, identifying itself as the “High Military Command for the Reestablishment of National and Public Order,” claimed total control of the country following sustained gunfire near the presidential palace and election commission headquarters in the capital, Bissau.
- Political Instability: The coup occurred just three days after the presidential election on November 23, 2025. Both the incumbent President Embaló and his main rival, Fernando Dias da Costa, had claimed victory prematurely, ahead of the official results which were expected on Thursday.
- Context: Guinea-Bissau has a long history of political instability and coups since its independence from Portugal in 1974. This is the ninth coup or attempted coup in the country’s history, with previous attempts against Embaló occurring in 2022 and 2023.
Background and Economy
- Government: Guinea-Bissau is a republic that has faced persistent power struggles between the presidency and the parliament.
- Economy: The nation is one of the world’s poorest and most fragile countries, with its economy heavily dependent on the export of cashew nuts, which account for over 90% of its export earnings.
- Social Challenges: The country faces significant challenges including high poverty rates, corruption (exacerbated by organized crime like drug trafficking), and inadequate public services in education and healthcare.