Representatives of the army of Guinea-Bissau stated on Wednesday that they carried out a military coup, detained the country's president, closed the borders, and suspended the electoral process — three days after the general elections, LETA reports citing AFP.
Gunfire was heard near the presidential palace, and men in military uniforms occupied the main street leading to the building.
The head of the president's military cabinet, General Denis Ncanha, told reporters in the afternoon that the command, "formed from all branches of the armed forces," is taking "full control" of the country "until further notice."
He read a statement while sitting at a table surrounded by armed soldiers.
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who may have won the elections held on Sunday, has been detained and is being held in the General Staff building, where he is "being treated well," an army source reported.
A senior officer who confirmed the detention added that the head of Embaló's office and the interior minister were also detained.
An official preliminary announcement of the election results was expected on Thursday.
On Wednesday, opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira was also detained, who was barred by the Supreme Court from participating in the presidential elections.
Pereira supported the opposition candidate Fernando Dias. Both Dias and Embaló claimed victory in the presidential elections.
Since gaining independence, Guinea-Bissau has experienced four coups and numerous attempts to carry them out.
