Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the deposed president of Guinea-Bissau, has arrived in Senegal after being ousted in a military coup that took place on Wednesday, ahead of the expected release of presidential election results. Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Embalo’s arrival and said authorities had engaged with actors in Guinea-Bissau to secure his safe departure.

Coup Details and Election Context

The coup occurred just days before the provisional results of Guinea-Bissau’s presidential election were due. Embalo, seeking re-election, had been contesting against main challenger Fernando Dias. Both candidates had declared victory, but the opposition PAIGC party was barred from presenting a candidate, drawing criticism from civil society groups who deemed the election illegitimate.

The military, calling itself the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, announced it had seized “total control” of the country. It immediately suspended the electoral process, imposed an overnight curfew, and closed borders.

On Thursday, General Horta Inta-A was sworn in as transitional president, defending the military’s actions as justified. The coup marks another instance of political instability in Guinea-Bissau, which has experienced several coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.

Regional and International Reactions

Senegal emphasized its commitment to ECOWAS, the African Union, and other partners to restore stability and constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau. The African Union Commission called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of Embalo and other detained officials, urging all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation.