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A group of military officers say they have seized control of Guinea-Bissau amid reports that the president, Umaro Sissoco Embal\u00f3, has been arrested.<\/p>\n
Shortly after gunshots were heard in the capital, Bissau, government sources told the BBC that Embal\u00f3 had been detained.<\/p>\n
Military officers then appeared on state TV, saying they had suspended the electoral process and would be in charge until further notice.<\/p>\n
The West African nation had been awaiting the outcome of Sunday’s presidential election, in which the main opposition candidate had been disqualified from running.<\/p>\n
The results were expected on Thursday – both Embal\u00f3 and his closest rival Fernando Dias have claimed victory.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, witnesses in Bissau heard gunfire at around 13:00 GMT but it was not immediately clear who was involved in the shooting or if there were any casualties.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles fled, seeking shelter as the shots rang out, the AFP news agency reported.<\/p>\n
Later on, General Denis N’Canha, head of the military household at the presidential palace, read out a statement declaring a takeover.<\/p>\n
He said officers had formed “the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and closed the border.<\/p>\n
Gen N’Canha instructed the population to “remain calm”.<\/p>\n
In addition to Embal\u00f3, the president’s army staff and a number of ministers have reportedly been arrested.<\/p>\n
Guinea-Bissau, with a population of just under two million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The former Portuguese colony has seen nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.<\/p>\n
There have been two attempts to overthrow Embalo, the latest in December 2023.<\/p>\n