Guinea-Bissau President Exile: The Aftermath of a Military Coup

Guinea-Bissau's deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has arrived in neighbouring Senegal following his release by military forces that toppled his government this week, Senegal's authorities have announced.

It follows negotiations by the regional West African bloc Ecowas to secure his transfer amid rising tensions in Guinea-Bissau.

Senegal's foreign ministry stated that Embaló landed in the country safe and sound on a chartered military flight late on Thursday.

The military in Guinea-Bissau has already sworn in a new transitional leader, Gen Horta N'Tam, who will rule the coup-prone country for a year.

Wednesday's coup came just a day before authorities were set to announce the provisional results of a presidential and parliamentary election. The military suspended the electoral process, citing a plot by unnamed politicians backed by a well-known drug baron to destabilize the country, and announced border closures along with a nighttime curfew.

With a history of instability and a reputation as a drug trafficking hub, Guinea-Bissau's political landscape has long been shaped by military influence since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Both Embaló and his closest rival Fernando Dias had claimed victory in the recent election.

Those detained include Dias, former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira, and Interior Minister Botché Candé. The junta has also prohibited public protests, stating that it seeks to maintain peace and stability in the country.

Tensions remain high in the capital, Bissau, where military patrols are prevalent and most shops and markets are closed. Following the coup, Gen N'Tam addressed the nation, stating that military action was necessary to thwart operations threatening democracy.

The African Union (AU) and Ecowas condemned the coup and have called for respect for constitutional order. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the situation, urging for the immediate restoration of order. Guinea-Bissau has experienced at least nine coup attempts in the last fifty years.