Africa Newsroom — In a stunning turn of events, the electoral commission of Guinea-Bissau has revealed that the recent coup has obliterated the election results, casting uncertainty over the country’s political future. Major-General Horta Inta-a has been sworn in as the new transitional president in the aftermath of the upheaval.
The electoral chaos unfolded following a military coup on November 26, 2025, orchestrated by Brigadier General Dinis Incanha, the Head of the Military Office of the Presidency. This coup came just a day prior to the anticipated announcement of the general election results on November 23, 2025, where incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was seeking re-election.
The electoral commission announced on December 2, 2025, that it could not release the election results due to the catastrophic destruction of the vote tally. Idrissa Djalo, the deputy executive secretary of the CNE, described a brazen attack on the tabulation room, where armed men wearing balaclavas arrested the CNE president and five Supreme Court judges. These attackers threatened 45 agents, destroyed tally sheets, phones, and computers, and intercepted tally sheets from Oio and Cacheu, which were later confiscated.
The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has expressed its concern, with representatives requesting the release of the election results. However, the CNE has been unable to comply, prompting ECOWAS to demand the restoration of constitutional order and the proclamation of the election results.
The motives behind the coup remain unclear. Speculation swirls that the coup might have been carried out with the tacit approval of President Embaló, who has reportedly sought refuge in the Republic of Congo. A spokesperson for President Embaló has accused gunmen affiliated with Fernando Dias of attacking the electoral commission.
This electoral crisis has significant implications for Guinea-Bissau’s political stability and its relationship with the international community. The country has a history of political instability and military coups, with this incident being the third coup in 20 years. Experts warn that the destruction of the election results could lead to further unrest and deepen the country’s political turmoil.
Analysts from the African Union and international observers have called for a swift and transparent investigation into the coup and its aftermath. They emphasize the need for the restoration of democratic governance and the respect for the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau.
In the wake of this crisis, the future of Guinea-Bissau hangs in the balance, with the international community watching closely to see how the country’s leaders navigate this challenging period.
Source: aljazeera
Additional reporting by ImNews
