Ghana condemns military takeover in Guinea-Bissau

The Government of Ghana has strongly condemned the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, describing it as an unconstitutional attack on democratic governance and a serious disruption of the country’s ongoing electoral process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 26, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the action by elements of the Guinea-Bissau armed forces constitutes “an unequivocal usurpation of authority”, warning that the move threatens stability in the West African subregion.

According to the statement, the Government of Ghana views the development with profound concern, noting that the attempted seizure of power overturns the will of the people who voted in the presidential and legislative elections held on November 23, 2025.

The Ministry said the military intervention has “dangerously interrupted the democratic trajectory of the nation and obstructed the anticipated announcement of the election results scheduled for 27th November.”

It urged all parties in Guinea-Bissau to respect constitutional processes and resolve any grievances through peaceful, transparent, and legally recognised mechanisms.

Ghana also demanded the protection of all citizens and foreign nationals, including ECOWAS election observers deployed in the country, stressing that their safety and secure passage must be guaranteed immediately.

The statement appealed to the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid actions that could worsen the situation. Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to working with ECOWAS and the African Union to collectively respond to the crisis in line with regional protocols on democracy and constitutional governance.

The unrest follows a dramatic announcement by a group of army officers on Wednesday, claiming to have seized power just a day before the release of official election results.

In a statement read on state television, military spokesperson Diniz N’Tchama said the officers had suspended the electoral process, closed the country’s borders, and imposed a curfew after allegedly toppling President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

The move deepened concerns in a nation long marked by political volatility and its reputation as a major transit hub for cocaine trafficking into Europe.

Shortly after the military declaration, top opposition candidate Fernando Dias released a video saying he was safe after an attempted arrest by armed men. Dias alleged that the coup was “simulated” because he had won the election and claimed former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira had been detained.

The African Union and ECOWAS expressed “deep concern” and demanded the immediate release of electoral officials who were reportedly arrested.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced multiple coup attempts in recent years. Embaló has previously stated he survived at least three attempts on his life, while critics accuse him of leveraging instability for political control. In December 2023, heavy gunfire rocked Bissau in an alleged putsch attempt, after which Embaló dissolved parliament. The country has not had a functioning legislature since.

The run-up to last Sunday’s election was also marked by controversy, with the opposition insisting that Embaló had overstayed his mandate. Meanwhile, drug trafficking activity has surged, with authorities seizing more than 2.6 tonnes of cocaine from a Venezuelan aircraft in 2024 alone.