A group of military officers in Guinea-Bissau say they have taken control of the country, with reports that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has been arrested. The incident comes just three days after a presidential election in which the main opposition candidate was disqualified, and both Embaló and rival Fernando Dias claimed victory.
Gunfire was reported in the capital, Bissau, around 13:00 GMT, prompting hundreds of residents to flee for safety. Details on casualties or the parties involved in the shooting remain unclear.
Guinea-Bissau, a nation of under two million people, has a history of political instability, having experienced nine coups or attempted coups since 1980. The current president has survived two previous attempts to overthrow him, the most recent being in December 2023.
