President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau has announced that he has been overthrown and is currently under house arrest at his residence. The president made the announcement on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Speaking to Jeune Afrique, Embaló said he was detained around midday while in his office. He was arrested by the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Biague Na Ntan, the Deputy Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Mamadou Touré, and the Minister of Interior , Botché Candé. He described the incident as a coup d’état but said no violence was used against him. Later, General Denis N'Canha, head of t

President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau has announced that he has been overthrown and is currently under house arrest at his residence. The president made the announcement on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Speaking to Jeune Afrique, Embaló said he was detained around midday while in his office. He was arrested by the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Biague Na Ntan, the Deputy Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Mamadou Touré, and the Minister of Interior , Botché Candé. He described the incident as a coup d’état but said no violence was used against him. Later, General Denis N'Canha, head of the military household at the presidential palace, read a statement announcing a takeover. He said the officers had formed “the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and urged the public to remain calm. The coup comes just days after the presidential election held on November 23, 2025. Official results are expected on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Embaló, who has been in power since 2020, claimed he won the election with 65% of the vote. His main challenger, Fernando Dias da Costa, also claimed victory. The former Portuguese colony has experienced at least nine coups or attempted coups over the past five decades. A wave of military takeovers has swept across West Africa in recent years, with countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea Conakry also witnessing the overthrow of civilian governments.

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