By HAN News Desk
DAKAR —The ousted president of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, has arrived in Senegal, the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed.
His arrival comes just days after soldiers in Guinea-Bissau seized power as the country awaited the official results of its recent presidential election.
In a statement issued late on Thursday, Senegal said Embaló travelled aboard a private aircraft chartered by the Senegalese government, following consultations with the authorities now in control in Bissau to facilitate his release.
Senegal reiterated its readiness to work with regional organisations, including ECOWAS and the African Union, to support political dialogue, stability, and the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau.
The coup unfolded on Wednesday, when military officers identifying themselves as the “High Committee for the Restoration of Order” appeared on state television to announce they had taken control of the country.
The move followed a tense electoral process in which both Embaló and rival candidate Fernando Dias had prematurely declared victory, creating deep political confusion ahead of the official results.
Tensions were further fuelled by a controversial decision barring the opposition PAIGC party from fielding a presidential candidate—an act condemned by civil society groups and election observers, who said the vote lacked full legitimacy.
Following the coup, the military suspended the electoral process, sealed all borders, and imposed a night-time curfew to maintain internal order.
On Thursday, General Horta Inta-A was sworn in as interim president. He claimed the military acted on “sufficient evidence” to justify intervention, though the takeover has drawn widespread international condemnation and concerns over the country’s stability.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf strongly denounced the military takeover, urging the immediate and unconditional release of Embaló and all detained officials. He also called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation.
Guinea-Bissau, which has experienced multiple coups since gaining independence in 1974, now faces renewed political turmoil as international actors push for a return to democratic rule and stability.
