Top West African Leaders Dismiss Guinea-Bissau Coup as a Sham
Senegal's prime minister and Nigeria's former president say the Guinea-Bissau military takeover looks staged, urging the immediate release of presidential results and a return to civilian rule.
Two senior West African figures say the Guinea-Bissau military takeover appears staged, challenging the official account and renewing calls for the presidential results to be released.
What happened
The weekend move came just before officials planned to announce the election winner. The army then suspended the vote count and blocked releases, saying it intervened to stop a destabilising plot.
Reactions from regional leaders
Senegal's prime minister Ousmane Sonko described the events as a sham and pressed for full transparency of the tally. Nigeria's former president Goodluck Jonathan, who led a regional observers' mission, argued the episode did not fit the pattern of a typical coup and called it ceremonial, noting Embaló declared he had been deposed in a television interview.
Local civil society groups have accused Embaló of staging the crisis to block results if he trailed in the vote. He has not publicly addressed the allegations.
The 53-year-old leader arrived in Senegal on a chartered flight after his release by the troops who toppled his government.
Jonathan, who observed the election with the West African Elders Forum, said the incident resembled something other than a standard coup and questioned the events leading to Embaló's claimed ouster.
Senegalese lawmakers heard similar views from Sonko, who urged immediate publication of the results and a return to civilian rule.
Regional bodies reacted swiftly. The African Union suspended Guinea-Bissau's membership due to the unconstitutional power grab, while ECOWAS also moved to suspend and urged the military to step back from power.
Guinea-Bissau has long faced political volatility and drug-smuggling pressures; officials said the takeover aimed to thwart unnamed politicians backed by a prominent drug lord.
A mother of three described how gunfire forced her to flee while the nation awaited the vote outcome, noting turnout was estimated above 65 percent.
A resident in the capital, Bissau, expressed concern that the upheaval could plunge the country into chaos, while others supported the military if living conditions improve.
What happens next
Transitional leader Gen Horta N'Tam appointed Ilidio Vieira Té, formerly the finance minister, as the new prime minister as the country moves through the transition.
African regional bodies continue to press for a return to constitutional order and the quick release of election results.
Expert comment: Political observers warn that the episode underscores Guinea-Bissau's fragile democracy and the risks of power being exercised through staged events. They urge prompt disclosure of results to restore trust and regional stability.
Summary
The Guinea-Bissau episode drew swift regional reactions, with leaders questioning its legitimacy and demanding transparency in the vote tally. The African Union and ECOWAS suspended the country and called for a peaceful return to civilian rule. Citizens remain cautious while authorities navigate a transitional period amid regional scrutiny.
Key insight: West African leaders question the legitimacy of the power grab and stress the need for transparent election results to prevent broader regional instability. BBC News