“Brigadier General Denis N’Canha announced on state television the creation of an interim administration led by the military, called the Military High Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order. All state institutions, including the constitution and the electoral process, are suspended following the dismissal of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. N’Canha claimed that political sectors had conspired with “drug lords” to destabilize the country and that there were attempts to manipulate the elections. The new Military Command states that it will resume normal governance “when the necessary conditions exist.”” (Radar Austral, 24.11.2025).
There is an ongoing military coup d’etat in Guinea-Bissau. This is happening after a heavy contested election, which the incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló had postponed and tried to undermine until the end. That’s why the President and insiders surrounding him was worried about announcing and releasing the election results, as Fernando Dias da Costa was destined to win.
That’s why today is a unique day. We can now question the role of General Biaguê Na N’tam who is part of this coup. As his the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and the one who is the face of this rebellion is General Denis N’Canha who happens to be the chief of the household of the President. We know N’tam was campaigning together with the President and N’Canha is another of the President’s Men. So, this here is a scheme from inside and not from the outside.
We know the President didn’t want another crook in office. He haven’t entrusted or ensured anyone else has the ability to be elected or be his successor. This man did whatever he could entrench himself in power and have all the instruments of power. That’s what the President did and he did so deliberately.
The drug connection is special, because the Osvaldo Vieira International Airport has been a hub for drug smuggling and the insiders within the government have been in on it. Therefore, that the Generals says this. Well, they are just stating a fact that has been well known and has created hectic scandals in the nation in the close proximity of time. So, with that in mind, well we know the culprit so they are doing the dance and thinking anyone wants to join in.
We can now wonder how they will play out this “transition” and the possible return of Embaló. These are loyalist and army commanders who has been vital to the President. It is hard to believe that they would betray him and leave him out. There is speculation that they will bring him back as a Prime Minister until they can usher him back to the Presidency. However, there is no proof of this and this coup only undermines and stall the announcement of the elections, which would have been horrific to the incumbent.
Certainly, there is more of the unknown and the Military High Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order will decree everything in the beginning. These will be the ones who has a say and their word will be law.
Time will tell, but I am cynical about this one. Yes, the election was flawed and most likely fabricated for the incumbent. That’s the gist of things, but this play could be to prolong the agony and give the incumbent another excuse to return. Therefore, there is more to this and especially knowing whose involved and why it happened without much fuzz. Peace.
MinBane 