Military Seizes Power in Guinea-Bissau

A coup in Guinea-Bissau has installed a military general as the country's new leader, ending a presidential election mid-count and marking another democratic collapse in West Africa.

General Horta Nta Na Man was sworn in Thursday as transitional president, one day after officers calling themselves the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order declared they had seized: "total control" of the nation.

This comes after a presidential election was held on Sunday in the country, with vote counting being halted by the military.

Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló confirmed he had been: "deposed" and was being held by soldiers. Domingos Simões Pereira, head of the main opposition party, was also arrested Wednesday.

The takeover marks the ninth successful coup across West and Central Africa since 2020; part of what observers have termed a regional "coup belt."