(3 Minutes Read)
The General justified taking control of the country saying it faced threats to its stability from politicians and drug barons. However, he did not provide any details of the allegation he levelled.
Military officials in Guinea-Bissau on Thursday named a Genera Horta Inta-A’l as the country’s transitional president. His inauguration came a day after soldiers toppled the civilian leadership in a swift power grab, while awaiting the weekend’s election results.
The General justified taking control of the country saying it faced threats to its stability from politicians and drug barons. However, he did not provide any details of the allegation he levelled.
The military government will oversee a one-year transition period starting from Thursday. Guinea-Bissau is a notorious cocaine transport hub with a long history of military interventions in politics.
The build up to the coup was dramatic. Both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared victory in the Sunday polls. This is a trend seen in some African countries whererin both ruling and opposition parties declare victory before the constitutional authority declares results.
Before the announcement of Inta-A’s presidency, Dias accused Embaló of staging a “fake coup” to derail the election because he feared he would lose.The capital Bissau was mostly quiet on Thursday, with soldiers on the streets and many residents staying indoors.
African Union has condemned the coup and called for Embaló’s release. The deposed president’s whereabouts remain unknown. On Wednesday he told French media that he had been arrested by soldiers.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/ecowas-condemns-guinea-bissau-coup-demands-release-of-president-embalo/
The reported military takeover is the latest in a string of coups and attempted coups in Guinea-Bissau since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.It is also the most recent in a surge of military takeovers in West Africa, where democracy has been challenged by disputed elections that analysts say could embolden militaries.
