Life began to return to a cautious normal on Friday in the capital of volatile Guinea-Bissau, just two days after the West African nation’s fifth successful coup, which abruptly halted the expected announcement of presidential and parliamentary election results.
The military, which seized power on Wednesday, has appointed General Horta N’Tam, the army’s chief of staff, as the country’s new leader for a one-year transition period. The takeover came just one day before authorities were due to announce the provisional results of the November 23 polls.
In the seaside capital, Bissau, vehicles and taxis were visible along the main road connecting the port to the presidential palace, alongside pedestrians. Security had been eased in many parts of the city but remained visible at key strategic locations.
Traders and shoppers were back at the city’s main markets, and shops, restaurants, and small grocery outlets had also reopened.
However, the economic reality remained harsh for many. Boubacar Embalo, a 25-year-old street vendor, said, “I resumed my work because if I stay home, I will have nothing to eat.” He added, “But things aren’t going too well for the moment. I have made rounds of the city since morning but have not managed to sell anything.”
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Journalists noted that areas surrounding Bissau appeared more deserted, with fewer people frequenting the reopened markets.
Land, air, and sea borders—all sealed off immediately after the putsch on Wednesday—have reportedly been reopened. Furthermore, the new military authorities lifted the nationwide curfew and ordered the immediate reopening of markets, schools, and private institutions.
Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo left the country for Senegal following the coup.
Opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa told AFP he believed he had won Sunday’s election. He alleged that Embalo, who also claimed victory, had “organised” the power grab to prevent him from taking office.
Sandwiched between Senegal and Guinea, Guinea-Bissau has a long history of political instability, having undergone four coups and a host of attempted takeovers since its independence from Portugal in 1974. Crippling poverty and chaotic administration have also made the country a hub for Latin American drug lords smuggling cocaine to Europe.
Guinea-Bissau’s last presidential election in November 2019 was also followed by a political crisis, with two rivals claiming the head of state position. That situation only ended in April 2020 when the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, recognized Embalo as the winner.