West African Leaders Question Legitimacy of Guinea-Bissau Coup

Thu Dec 04 2025 20:22:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Political leaders from Senegal and Nigeria call the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau a 'sham' amid suspicions of its authenticity, as the country faces political instability following a controversial election process.

The recent military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, leading to the ousting of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, has been labeled a 'sham' by Senegal's PM Ousmane Sonko and Nigeria's ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. They questioned the legitimacy of the coup, occurring just before election results were to be announced, and described the military's actions as a staged event. Amid these claims, the transitional leader Gen Horta N'Tam has been appointed, and the region is reacting to the constitutional crisis with mixed sentiments.

Senegal's prime minister and Nigeria's former president have both stated that the ousting of Guinea-Bissau's president by the military was not a genuine coup.

Former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló's ouster occurred just a day before election results were expected to be announced.

The military has suspended the electoral process and blocked the announcement of results, declaring they have averted a destabilization plot in the politically fragile nation.

Senegal's PM Ousmane Sonko and Nigeria's ex-leader Goodluck Jonathan have called for the immediate release of the presidential election results, although they did not offer evidence to substantiate their claims that the coup was fabricated.

Embaló, who arrived in neighboring Senegal on a chartered military flight after a release by the military, expressed that he had been deposed through a phone call to a French TV channel.

Goodluck Jonathan referred to the incident as a ceremonial coup, highlighting the peculiar circumstances of Embaló's resignation.
Sonko also labeled the events as a sham, aligning with opposition claims that suggested the coup was staged, though no evidence has been shared publicly.

Gen Horta N'Tam has been appointed as the transitional leader, with former finance minister Ilidio Vieira Té named the new prime minister following the military takeover.

The African Union has moved to suspend Guinea-Bissau in light of the unconstitutional military intervention, aligning with actions taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), urging the military to restore civilian rule.

Guinea-Bissau, a nation historically prone to military coups, is also severely affected by drug trafficking, complicating its political landscape. The military's justification for the power grab involved allegations of a plot made by certain politicians with connections to drug trafficking.

Local residents have given mixed reactions to the military's actions, with some expressing hope for improved governance, while others fear further chaos in the wake of the coup.