Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
The Guinea-Bissau armed forces have announced that they successfully thwarted an attempt to subvert the country’s constitutional order, arresting several senior military officials in a dramatic move just days before campaigning for the upcoming general elections is set to begin.
The announcement which was made during a press conference by General Mamadu Ture, deputy chief of staff, reveals the fragile political landscape in a country that has long struggled with instability since its independence from Portugal in 1974. The alleged coup plot, reportedly uncovered on October 30, targeted the electoral process scheduled to kick off on November 1, with legislative and presidential elections expected in late November.
Among those detained is the head of a military training facility located 30 kilometres from the capital, Bissau, Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, who is believed to be a key figure in the conspiracy. Other arrested officers include Commanders Domingos Nhanke and Mario Midana, though the army has not yet disclosed the full list of detainees or the specifics of the planned actions.
The country’s president, Umaro Sissoco has not issued a national address on the alleged coup attempt. Many say the president’s silence may be due to expectations of further details as investigations continue to further uncover the extent of the plot. The timing of the alleged coup attempt raises suspicions, particularly as the main opposition party has been disqualified, potentially paving the way for Embaló’s continued dominance.
On September 25, Guinea-Bissau’s Supreme Court disqualified the PAI-Terra Ranka coalition, led by the historic African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), the country’s main opposition, from contesting the elections. The court cited the coalition’s failure to submit a candidate list within the 72-hour deadline.
Guinea-Bissau’s history of political turmoil is well-documented, with four successful coups and at least 17 attempted or alleged plots since independence. The most recent significant attempt occurred in February 2022, when Embaló himself survived what he described as an assassination attempt linked to drug trafficking networks.
That incident, which claimed the lives of several security personnel, was quelled within hours, but it highlighted the persistent challenges facing the country’s governance. The current plot, if confirmed, appears to follow a similar pattern, with General Ture suggesting it was designed to derail the democratic process.
The international community has yet to issue an official response, but the African Union and ECOWAS, which deployed a 600-member force following the 2022 coup attempt, are likely to monitor the situation closely. Civil society groups, a resilient force in Guinea-Bissau, have called for transparency and urged the military to adhere to constitutional norms.
The National Electoral Commission, known for its professionalism despite past parliamentary dissolutions, faces added pressure to ensure the elections proceed smoothly. While progress has been made since the 2014 elections toward establishing the rule of law, this latest incident serves as a worrying indication of the challenges ahead. For now, the army’s swift action has averted an immediate crisis, but the path to a stable political future remains lined with uncertainty.
