In brief
In a dramatic turn of events in Guinea-Bissau, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has been arrested by armed men as gunfire erupted near the presidential palace. The incident occurred shortly after a contentious presidential election, prompting fears of further political instability in a nation long troubled by coups and unrest. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as hundreds fled the area amidst the violence.
Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has been arrested by armed men, government sources have told the BBC, after gunfire was heard near the presidential palace. Witnesses in the capital, Bissau, heard gunshots at around 13:00 GMT, but it remains unclear who was involved in the shooting. This alarming event follows a presidential election held just three days prior, in which the main opposition candidate was disqualified from contesting. Results were expected on Thursday, with both Embaló and his rival Fernando Dias claiming victory.Hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles sought shelter as the gunfire rang out, according to reports from the AFP news agency. Guinea-Bissau is among the poorest nations globally and has a troubled political history, with a record of nine coups or attempted coups since 1980. This incident marks the latest attempt on Embaló's leadership, following two previous assassination attempts as recent as December 2023.This is a breaking news story that is continuously being updated.
