Soldiers for Guinea-Bissau don install General Horta N’Tam as new leader for one year, one day after dem take over power, arrest President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and stop release of election results.
On Thursday morning, soldiers full everywhere around the presidential palace for Bissau as people waka carefully for the main road wey see heavy gunfire the previous day.
General N’Tam take oath for military headquarters, tell journalists say he don assume control of the “High Military Command.” AFP reporters wey dey ground see plenty heavily armed soldiers guard the event.
According to N’Tam, the military action dey necessary “to block plans wey dey threaten our democracy.” He talk say dem get enough evidence to justify the takeover and say urgent action dey needed.
On Wednesday, group of military officers announce say dem don seize “total control” of the country and suspend the electoral process. Guinea-Bissau bin dey wait for results of Sunday presidential election wey many people believe President Embaló fit win.
N’Tam, wey don dey close to Embaló for some years, say di operation dey important for national stability and call on citizens to support the transition.
Guinea-Bissau no stranger to political wahala. Since independence from Portugal in 1974, the country don see four coups and several attempted ones.
General Denis N’Canha earlier talk say di military discover plot involving “drug lords” wey dey plan bring weapons enter the country to scatter constitutional order. Because of that, dem stop the whole election process, suspend media programming, impose curfew and close all borders. But on Thursday, military officials announce say borders don reopen.
President Embaló dey under military custody and dey “treated well,” according to military source.
International bodies don condemn the takeover. ECOWAS say dem “strongly reject” the coup and maintain zero-tolerance for unconstitutional government changes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres say him dey follow the matter with “deep concern,” while Portugal advise all sides to avoid violence.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also condemn the suspension of media operations, saying citizens get right to know wetin dey happen for their country especially during political crisis.
