Bissau, Nov 27 (V7N) — The military of Guinea-Bissau has seized power by removing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, plunging the West African nation into fresh political turmoil. Senior military officials announced the coup in a video message on Wednesday, confirming that the president had been arrested.

Following the takeover, coup leaders suspended the country’s ongoing electoral process and ordered the closure of all air, sea, and land borders. A nationwide curfew has also been imposed.

In an interview with the media on Wednesday afternoon, President Embaló confirmed his ouster.

According to a BBC report citing government sources, the military has detained several top figures, including opposition leader Fernando Dias, former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira, and Interior Minister Botche Candé. The army chief, General Biagé Na Ntan, and his deputy, General Mamadou Touré, were also reportedly arrested.

Gunfire was earlier heard near the electoral commission, the presidential residence, and the interior ministry, heightening panic in the capital. The results of Sunday’s presidential election were scheduled to be announced on Thursday.

Tensions had already escalated in recent days after several senior military officers were arrested on charges of conspiring against the constitution — a development believed to have fueled the latest confrontation between the government and the army.

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