A group of soldiers announced in Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday, via state television, that they have taken full control of the country, suspending the electoral process and closing the borders "until further notice." This follows the arrest of outgoing President Umar Sissoco Embalo inside the presidential palace in the capital, Bissau, after reports of gunfire near the palace, three days after presidential and legislative elections. Denis Nchama, spokesperson for the Guinea-Bissau's High Military Command, said in a statement that the "High Command for the Restoration of the National and Public System decided to immediately oust the president of the Republic and suspend the work of all republican institutions of Guinea-Bissau until new orders are issued." Nchama stated that the military acted in response to the "discovery of a continuous plot" targeting the country's stability, adding that "local and foreign citizens" attempted to "manipulate election results to implement this plot." The military announced they have decided to immediately suspend the current electoral process and media activities, as well as close all borders. Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau's President Umar Sissoco Embalo announced during an interview with the France24 television channel on Wednesday that he had been ousted, saying "I have been ousted." In addition to the president, the head of the armed forces General Biagio Ntane, the deputy head of the General Staff General Mamadou Ture, and the Minister of the Interior Boubacar Cande were arrested. Presidential and legislative elections were held last Sunday. Both the incumbent President Umar Sissoco and his main opposition rival Fernando Dias da Costa claimed victory on Tuesday, before the official results were expected to be announced on Thursday. The West African nation of Guinea-Bissau has experienced four coups and many coup attempts since its independence, including one announced last month.
