Coup in Guinea-Bissau: General Nta Sworn in as Transitional President Amidst Political Turmoil

General Horta Nta Na Man has been sworn in as the president of a transitional government in Guinea-Bissau, a small West African country, following a military coup announced on Wednesday. Nta, a close ally of the ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, steps into a role characterized by uncertainty as the details of the coup and the relationships between key figures remain murky. Adding to the confusion is the suppression of independent media within the country. The backdrop to this upheaval is the recent first round of presidential elections held on Sunday, in which Embaló was running for a second term. No winner has been declared yet, and allegations have surfaced against Embaló, accusing him of orchestrating the coup to cling to power, especially in the face of potential defeat. Shortly after the military's takeover, Embaló confirmed that he, along with other members of the government and military, had been detained but asserted that he had not faced violence during his arrest. Domingos Simoes Pereira, one of the primary opposition leaders, was also apprehended, despite being excluded from the elections. Another opposition figure, Fernando Dias da Costa, has reported that he is currently in hiding. In his first statements following the coup, Nta claimed that the military intervention was necessary to shield the nation from the dangers of drug trafficking. He announced that the transitional government would have a one-year mandate, implying significant changes ahead. Furthermore, in a move to stabilize the country, he declared the reopening of borders which had been closed since the coup. As Guinea-Bissau navigates this new political landscape, the international community will be watching closely to see how this transitional government unfolds and what it means for the future of democracy in the region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2