Guinea-Bissau army officers claim ‘total control’ of country

By Ucheamaka Naankut Matthew On Nov 26, 2025

Guinea-Bissau ,Military Officers, — Brigadier General Denis N'Canha (C), head of the military office of the presidency gives a press conference at the General Staff of the Armed Forces on November 26, 2025. Gunfire was heard Wednesday outside Guinea-Bissau's presidential palace just three days after the country's presidential and legislative elections, with both major candidates have claimed victory, an AFP journalist on the scene witnessed. People were seen running in a crowd gathered outside the palace as the shots were heard. (Photo by Patrick MEINHARDT / AFP)

Military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced Wednesday they were taking “total control” of the country while suspending its electoral process and closing its borders, three days after the poverty-stricken West African nation’s legislative and presidential elections.

Earlier in the day, gunfire was heard near the coup-prone country’s presidential palace as men in military uniform took over the main road leading to the building.

Military personnel made the announcement by reading a statement at army headquarters in the capital, Bissau, AFP journalists observed on the scene.