A group of military officers has seized power in Guinea-Bissau, ousting the democratic elected President, Umaro Sissoco Embaló on Wednesday afternoon.
The development comes a day before the announcement of the disputed presidential election in the country.
Mr Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias have claimed victory in the election.
The military officers led by General Denis N’Canha announced they had taken “total control” of the country in a broadcast.
Mr N’Canha said the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.”
Amid reports of a military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, Mr Embaló told France24, “I have been deposed,” adding that he was “currently at the general staff headquarters.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Embaló and some members of his cabinet were arrested by soldiers as gunshots rocked Guinea-Bissau’s presidential palace.
The armed forces’ chief of staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan; the deputy chief of staff, General Mamadou Touré; and the interior minister, Botché Candé, were also arrested.
