President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau announced on Saturday that the recent bloody violence in the capital, involving the army and elements of the national guard, was an attempted coup.
Embaló, who was attending the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, stated upon his return to Bissau that he was delayed due to the coup attempt, warning of severe consequences for this act.
Clashes broke out overnight Thursday to Friday between members of the national guard and the presidential guard’s special forces, resulting in at least two deaths.
Six injured soldiers were evacuated to neighboring Senegal, a military official reported.
The situation calmed down by Friday noon, following the arrest or surrender of National Guard commander Colonel Victor Chongo.
Guinea-Bissau’s army stated that some national guard officers and soldiers had dispersed within the country, without specifying their numbers.
They were ordered to return to their assigned locations by the armed forces’ general staff.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the violence and any attempts to disrupt the constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau, calling for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators. ECOWAS expressed full solidarity with the people and constitutional authorities of Guinea-Bissau.
These incidents occurred during President Embaló’s absence at the climate conference in Dubai. He was scheduled to return to Guinea-Bissau on Saturday evening.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced chronic instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, including numerous coups and attempted coups, the most recent in February 2022.
