Guinea-Bissau is a small country in West Africa (Guinea-Bissau). It has a long history of political problems. Since it became free from Portugal in 1974, it has seen many military takeovers. Sadly, this history of unrest continued recently.
In November 2025, a group of army officers seized power. They announced that they had deposed the President. The President, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, has arrested. The officers said they were taking “total control” of the country.
This action has called a coup d’état, or simply a coup. A coup is when a small group, often the military, suddenly removes the government. This takeover happened right before the results of a new election have to announced.
This event is not surprising for Guinea-Bissau. It has known as one of the world’s most unstable nations. This essay will explain why the military acted now. We will look at the reasons the officers gave. We will also look at the deeper problems that make Guinea-Bissau so unstable.
The Events of the Coup Guinea-Bissau
Gunfire and Arrests
The coup started on a Wednesday. It has the day before the election results have supposed to public. First, people in the capital city, Bissau, heard loud gunfire. The shooting happened near very important buildings.
The key places that have attacked were:
- The Presidential Palace, where the President works.
- The National Electoral Commission, where the votes have counted.
- The Interior Ministry, which handles security inside the country.
Men in military uniform have seen taking over the streets. Hundreds of people have scared and ran away. Later, President Embaló said he had arrested. He confirmed that a coup had taken place. Several other important officials have also detained. This included the army’s Chief of Staff.
The Military’s Announcement
Later that day, the army officers went on state television. They read a statement. They said they had formed a new group. This called it the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order. This group claimed to have all the power in the country.
The officers made several quick decisions:
- They deposed the President. This means they removed him from power.
- They suspended the election process. The voting stops and the results have not counted.
- They closed all borders. No one can go in or out by land, sea, or air.
- They ordered a curfew. People had to stay inside their homes at night.
The officers told the people to stay calm. They said their actions were necessary to save the country.
The Reasons for the Takeover Guinea-Bissau
The military officers gave a clear reason for the coup. They said they had found a plot to destabilize the country. A plot is a secret, bad plan.
Claimed Plot to Manipulate Elections
The officers claimed that a group was trying to cheat in the election. They said this group wanted to manipulate the results. Manipulation means changing the numbers to favor one side.
The military blamed several kinds of people for this plot:
- National Politicians: People inside Guinea-Bissau’s government.
- Foreign Figures: People from other countries.
- A “well-known drug lord”: This points to the deep problem of drug trade in the country.
The military said the plot has found by the state intelligence service. They claimed they had found hidden weapons. The officers said they acted to stop this criminal plot. They claimed they were bringing “Restoration of Order.”
The Election Chaos
The coup happened because the election itself was full of chaos. The election had held just three days earlier. President Embaló was running for a second term. His main rival was Fernando Dias.
Both sides quickly claimed victory. This happens often in close or badly run elections. When both sides say they won, it creates great tension. It gives the military an excuse to step in.
Also, the main opposition political party has barred from running. This means they have not allowed to take part. This made many people question if the election was fair. This whole situation created the perfect crisis for the military to take power.
The Deeper Problems of Guinea-Bissau
The immediate reasons for the coup have tied to the election. But the real problem is much deeper. Guinea-Bissau suffers from two main long-term issues: political instability and the drug trade.
The History of Instability
Guinea-Bissau has often called “coup-prone.” This means it is very likely to have a coup. The recent military takeover is the ninth successful or attempted coup since 1974.
Why does this keep happening?
- Weak Institutions: The government offices and courts are often weak. They cannot control the army.
- Military Power: The army in Guinea-Bissau sees itself as the final power. They feel they have the right to remove presidents they do not like.
- Lack of Trust: There is no trust between the politicians and the military. Every time there is a crisis, the military steps in.
President Embaló himself had faced other coup attempts before. Critics often accused him of faking coup attempts. They said he did this to arrest his political opponents and shut down parliament. This cycle of distrust makes the country very unstable.
The Problem of the Drug Trade Guinea-Bissau
The biggest long-term problem is the drug trade. Guinea-Bissau is a hub for drug trafficking. A hub is a central point. Drugs, mainly cocaine, come from South America. They stop in Guinea-Bissau. Then they are moved on to Europe.
The country’s geography makes it perfect for smuggling. It has a long coastline and many hidden islands. Drug groups use this area for secret drop-off points.
This drug trade causes huge corruption. The money from drugs is used to bribe officials, police, and army officers. This means that important people in the government and military are often tied to drug barons (drug lords).
The military officers who staged the coup specifically mentioned a “well-known drug lord.” This shows that the illegal drug money is deeply tied to the political system. When the drug trade is so powerful, it is hard for any democratically elected government to rule safely. The drug money corrupts the system and fuels the unrest.
The Impact and Reactions Guinea-Bissau
Impact on the People
The coup brought immediate changes for the people of Guinea-Bissau. The curfew meant people could not move freely at night. The closing of borders stopped all travel. The suspension of political institutions means there is no democratic government running the country.
Guinea-Bissau is a very poor country. These sudden political crises make life harder. Businesses stop working. Foreign investment stops. The people suffer because the country cannot be stable. They constantly live in fear of violence and political chaos.
International Reaction
When a coup happens, the world usually reacts with strong statements. This is called diplomatic pressure.
Regional Bodies: The other countries in West Africa are usually the first to act. They belong to a group called ECOWAS. ECOWAS often condemns coups. They try to put pressure on the military leaders to give up power. This might close their own borders to Guinea-Bissau. They might stop trade.
Global Powers: Countries like Portugal, the former ruler, and the United States often demand a return to constitutional rule. This means they want the military to step back. They want the elected government to return to power. They want the election results to be announced.
However, in West Africa, coups have become common again. This makes it harder for international bodies to enforce peace. The Guinea-Bissau Coup 2025 adds to a growing list of military takeovers in the region.
Guinea-Bissau Coup 2025
The Guinea-Bissau Coup 2025 is a major political failure. Army officers have deposed the President and seized control. They have created a new military command. They stopped the release of the election results.
The officers claim they acted to stop a plot involving drug lords and corrupt politicians. This reason shows the true problem of Guinea-Bissau. The country is stuck in a cycle of instability. This cycle is driven by military interference and the powerful influence of the international drug trade.
Until Guinea-Bissau can build strong, democratic institutions that control the military, these crises will continue. The people of Guinea-Bissau deserve a stable, peaceful government. The world is waiting to see if the military will truly restore order or simply create more chaos. The path back to democracy will be difficult and long.
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