In a significant political shift, Guinea-Bissau’s new military ruler has appointed a prime minister allied with the ousted president, reflecting the complexities surrounding this week’s coup. The military seized control of the West African nation on Wednesday, just a day before the provisional results of a national election were set to be released, forcing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo to seek refuge in Senegal.
As speculations swirl regarding the motives behind this coup—the fifth such event in the country’s 45-year history—the new military leader, General Horta N’Tam, has named Ilidio Vieira Te, the former finance minister under Embalo, as prime minister. N’Tam has stated his intention to lead the country through a one-year transitional period, calling upon Te to work closely with the new military government.
International reactions to the coup have been swift and critical. The African Union announced it would suspend Guinea-Bissau “with immediate effect,” while the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has barred the country from participating in any decision-making bodies. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military’s actions as an “unacceptable violation of democratic principles,” and the European Union has demanded a prompt return to constitutional order and the resumption of the electoral process.
Concerns regarding the legitimacy of the coup have been voiced by political figures and analysts alike. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko suggested the event was orchestrated, doubting the authenticity of the power grab. Opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa claimed he had won the disputed election and accused Embalo of orchestrating the coup to prevent him from assuming office. Adding to the skepticism, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who was observing the elections, described the coup as possibly “ceremonial,” highlighting the oddity of Embalo communicating with the media during the takeover.
The coup has also sparked theories about underlying power struggles in Guinea-Bissau. Analysts believe that control over illegal drug trafficking networks may have played a crucial role in the country’s volatile political landscape. General Denis N’Canha mentioned the discovery of plans involving “drug lords,” hinting at a deeper connection between the coup and the illicit drug trade.
Correspondingly, Guinea-Bissau’s history of political instability has been compounded by widespread poverty and chaotic governance, making it a prime environment for corruption and smuggling. As a significant transit point for Latin American cocaine bound for Europe, the country has garnered the label of a “narco-state.” Allegations suggest that senior political and military figures are intertwined with the drug trade, complicating the nation’s political framework even further.
Despite the tensions, life in the capital, Bissau, has begun to normalize. Streets are seeing an influx of vehicles, markets are reopening, and citizens are returning to work out of necessity. Boubacar Embalo, a 25-year-old street vendor, expressed his determination to resume work, emphasizing the urgent need to sustain his livelihood amidst the upheaval.
Guinea-Bissau has faced coups and attempted takeovers since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, and it now joins other nations like Burkina Faso, Mali, Madagascar, Niger, and Sudan on the list of countries suspended from the African Union due to military interventions. As the situation unfolds, the future of Guinea-Bissau and its governance hangs in delicate balance, with international eyes keenly watching the developments.
