Keypoints:
- Senior officers detained over coup allegations
- Arrests come ahead of November elections
- Political tensions rise as Embalo seeks re-election
AUTHORITIES in Guinea-Bissau have arrested several senior army officers accused of plotting a coup ahead of the country’s November elections, the deputy chief of staff of the armed forces, Mamadou Kourouma, said on Friday.
The officers were detained on Thursday at their homes in the capital, Bissau. Those arrested include General Dahaba Na Walna, Commander Domingos Nhanke and Commander Mario Midana. Kourouma confirmed the arrests but did not release the full list of names.
Reuters reported that attempts to contact the detained officers or their representatives for comment were unsuccessful.
Military move to ‘defend constitutional order’
Speaking at a press conference, Kourouma said the detentions were linked to a fresh attempt to undermine Guinea-Bissau’s constitutional order.
‘This is indeed a new attempt to subvert the constitutional order, on the eve of the start of the election campaign for the legislative and presidential elections on November 23,’ he told reporters.
The deputy chief described the arrests as part of efforts to preserve national stability at a politically sensitive time, warning that such acts of subversion threaten to derail the country’s fragile democratic process.
Legacy of coups and disputed leadership
Guinea-Bissau has a long and troubled history of coups and unrest since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The latest allegations come as the West African nation prepares for yet another pivotal election under tense circumstances.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has previously claimed that there have been two attempts to overthrow him since taking office, the most recent in December 2023. Opposition parties accuse him of overstaying his mandate, arguing that his five-year term expired in February 2025.
The Supreme Court of Justice, however, ruled that his tenure continues until September 4, effectively granting him the legal authority to remain in power until after the polls.
Embalo eyes re-election amid unrest
In March, Embalo announced plans to seek a second term in the November election, reversing earlier promises not to run again. His change of heart has deepened political divisions and stirred fears of renewed unrest.
The alleged coup plot underscores persistent tension between Guinea-Bissau’s civilian leadership and elements of its military, which has often played a decisive role in the nation’s politics.
As campaigning draws near, analysts warn that maintaining stability will depend on the army’s neutrality and the government’s ability to manage growing public discontent.
