Ousted Guinea-Bissau President Embaló Arrives in Senegal After Military Seizes Power

Guinea-Bissau’s political crisis deepened on Tuesday after ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló fled to Senegal, a day after the military seized power, suspended democratic processes, and installed a new interim leader.

Senegal’s foreign ministry confirmed that Embaló arrived in Dakar aboard a special ECOWAS arranged flight, following an intervention led by the regional bloc’s current leadership. His departure comes as Guinea-Bissau becomes the latest West African nation to experience a military takeover continuing a troubling trend across the region.

Military Installs General Horta N’Tam as New Leader

Just hours after the coup, the Guinea-Bissau armed forces announced the appointment of General Horta N’Tam, the army’s chief of staff, as the new national leader for a one year transition period. The military declared the suspension of all election activities, halted the announcement of results, and shut down national borders.

In a televised address, officers accused President Embaló of planning to “destabilize the country in secret”, though they provided no evidence for the allegations.

The coup unfolded only three days after national elections, heightening concerns about the military’s growing interference in the electoral process.

A Region in Turmoil as Coups Spread Across West Africa

Guinea-Bissau’s power struggle adds to a growing list of West African nations including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea where militaries have dismantled civilian governments in recent years. The wave of coups has strained ECOWAS, which has struggled to balance strong condemnations with limited capacity to reverse military takeovers.

While ECOWAS leaders helped secure Embaló’s safe passage to Senegal, the bloc has not yet announced sanctions or plans for intervention. Analysts warn that the longer the crisis persists, the harder it will be for the region to maintain democratic stability.

What Triggered This Coup?

Tensions in Guinea-Bissau have been simmering for months. Embaló, who was elected in early 2020, frequently clashed with political rivals and faced accusations of centralizing power.The military, long seen as an unpredictable force in the country’s politics, has staged more than a dozen attempted coups since independence in 1973.

The latest seizure of power appears tied to disputes over the election process, with military leaders insisting the president was preparing to manipulate results a claim dismissed by Embaló allies.

International Reaction

The African Union, United Nations, and ECOWAS have expressed deep concern over the events, urging the immediate restoration of constitutional order. Human rights groups have warned that the suspension of media operations and closure of borders could lead to heightened repression and humanitarian challenges.

For now, Guinea-Bissau remains in a state of uncertainty as General N’Tam consolidates control and regional diplomacy intensifies.