Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – On November 26th local time, the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces issued a statement on national television announcing the takeover of state power and the implementation of several emergency measures, including the dissolution of all public institutions and the closure of borders.
According to reports from the Associated Press, France 24, and other media outlets, gunfire was heard near the presidential palace in Guinea-Bissau on the 26th, and uniformed personnel subsequently controlled the main roads leading to the palace.
Dinis N’Tchama, spokesperson for the Guinea-Bissau High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order, stated in a statement that, in order to restore national and public order, the command decided to immediately remove President Umaro Sissoko Embalo from office.
N’Tchama stated that the command decided to dissolve all public institutions in Guinea-Bissau, suspend the current election process and media activities, close all sea, land, and air borders, and impose a curfew, among other measures, until further notice.
According to reports from Turkey's Anadolu Agency, Radio France Internationale, and other media outlets, several high-ranking officials in Guinea-Bissau have been detained.
Reuters also reported that observers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union issued a joint statement on the same day, expressing concern about the situation in Guinea-Bissau and urging the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces to immediately release the detained officials to ensure the smooth completion of the country's election process.
The presidential and parliamentary elections in Guinea-Bissau officially began on November 23 local time, with 12 candidates vying for the presidency and 14 political parties competing for seats in the parliament. The Guinea-Bissau Electoral Commission originally planned to announce preliminary results of the presidential election on November 27. (End)
