Guinea-Bissau's military has declared total control over the country, just three days after disputed presidential elections that both candidates claim to have won. In a statement broadcast on state TV, the high military command announced it was suspending the electoral process and closing borders, effectively taking charge of the government until further notice.
Tensions had been escalating since Sunday's elections, with shots heard near key government buildings, including the election commission headquarters, presidential palace, and interior ministry. The situation remains unclear, with both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his main rival Fernando Dias claiming victory in the first round of voting.
However, eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as chaotic, with gunfire and shouts audible near the election commission building. The military's sudden intervention has raised concerns about the country's stability and the future of democracy in Guinea-Bissau.
The West African nation has a history of military coups and power struggles, with at least nine attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Critics have accused Embaló of fabricating coup attempts as a pretext to suppress opposition and consolidate his grip on power.
Economic instability also looms large in Guinea-Bissau, with the country struggling to address poverty and inequality. According to the World Bank, Guinea-Bissau's average yearly income is just $963 per person, one of the lowest in the world.
The international community has expressed concerns about the development, with the United Nations previously labeling Guinea-Bissau a "narco state" due to its role in the global cocaine trade.
Tensions had been escalating since Sunday's elections, with shots heard near key government buildings, including the election commission headquarters, presidential palace, and interior ministry. The situation remains unclear, with both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his main rival Fernando Dias claiming victory in the first round of voting.
However, eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as chaotic, with gunfire and shouts audible near the election commission building. The military's sudden intervention has raised concerns about the country's stability and the future of democracy in Guinea-Bissau.
The West African nation has a history of military coups and power struggles, with at least nine attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Critics have accused Embaló of fabricating coup attempts as a pretext to suppress opposition and consolidate his grip on power.
Economic instability also looms large in Guinea-Bissau, with the country struggling to address poverty and inequality. According to the World Bank, Guinea-Bissau's average yearly income is just $963 per person, one of the lowest in the world.
The international community has expressed concerns about the development, with the United Nations previously labeling Guinea-Bissau a "narco state" due to its role in the global cocaine trade.
This whole situation in Guinea Bissau is super worrying 
. The fact that they declared total control over the country just 3 days after elections that both candidates claimed to have won kinda raises some eyebrows 
. What's really going on here? Is this gonna lead to more instability and potentially a repeat of those power struggles they've had in the past? 
It's hard to even imagine living like that. And now with international concerns about their involvement in the cocaine trade... it just feels like a perfect storm of problems 
.
thinking about all these what-ifs and maybes. Can anyone see any way out of this mess? 
i was just watching the news and they said the military took control of everything but both presidents are still saying they won lol who do you think is right? 
are they really that involved in it? i mean, i know some countries have more problems than others but this sounds really serious
... I mean, I know Guinea-Bissau's had some issues in the past, but it's just another example of how unstable things can get when you have power struggles and economic instability 
. And what really gets me is how the international community's reaction is all just a bit too little, too late, if you ask me... when are we going to start seeing some real support for these kinds of countries, rather than just talking about it? 
I'm really worried about the stability of that country, it's been through so much already and now they're just throwing fuel on the fire. 
and $963 per person? that's insane... how are people supposed to live like that? 
this is getting scary i mean whats happening in guinea bissau tho like what kinda stability r they even talking bout? 3 days after elections and already military control everything sounds like another coup trying to suppress opposition but im not surprised tbh poverty and inequality got everyone in a chokehold 
. And with economic instability and poverty on the rise, it's no wonder people are getting restless 
. But the international community needs to do more than just express concerns – they need to step in and help find a solution 
. It can't just keep happening like this 
.
.
like, what's next? is democracy just out the window now? 