Brazzaville, Republic of Congo – Oumar Sissoco Embaló, the ousted President of Guinea-Bissau, arrived in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, on Saturday, according to sources on the ground. His arrival follows a military takeover in Guinea-Bissau that occurred days prior.
Sources within the Congolese government confirmed Embaló’s arrival in Brazzaville. A source close to the government, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Embaló arrived around noon in a private plane.
The military deposed Embaló’s government last Wednesday, ahead of the official announcement of the results of recent presidential and legislative elections. This action has prolonged a period of political instability in the small, Portuguese-speaking West African nation.
DZWatch has learned that the largest opposition parties in Guinea-Bissau have reported an armed militia stormed their headquarters in the capital, Bissau, following the post-election coup. The military seized power on Wednesday, the day before the preliminary election results were expected.
Following the coup, Embaló initially fled to neighboring Senegal. The military then installed Major General Horta Inta as the interim president on Thursday.
Guinea-Bissau, a coastal nation located in West Africa between Senegal and Guinea (Conakry), has experienced four coups and numerous attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Election results in the country have frequently been disputed.
The African Union suspended Guinea-Bissau’s membership in its bodies on Friday, two days after the coup.
Developing Story: DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation in Guinea-Bissau and provide updates as they become available.
