By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced Wednesday they were taking “total control” of the country while suspending ongoing electoral process.
This is in addition to closure of its borders, three days after the commencement of legislative and presidential elections in the West African nation.
Earlier in the day, gunfire was heard near the coup-prone country’s presidential palace as men in military uniform took over the main road leading to the building and prevented President Umaro Sissoco Embaló from leaving.
Military personnel made the announcement by reading a statement at army headquarters in the capital, Bissau, according, an AFP report says.
The results of the elections were expected on Thursday. Both Embaló and his closest rival Fernando Dias have claimed victory.
Hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles fled after the gunshots rang, seeking shelter, the AFP report added.
Guinea-Bissau, with a population of just under two million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The former Portuguese colony has seen nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.
There have been two attempts to overthrow Embalo, the latest in December 2023.
