Guinea-Bissau: Five decades of coups, crises and cartel influence

France 24Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 10:10:18 AM
Guinea-Bissau: Five decades of coups, crises and cartel influence
  • Guinea-Bissau has experienced a significant escalation in political instability as military officers seized power and detained President Umaro Sissoco Embalo shortly after contentious elections. This coup marks a continuation of the country's history of coups and crises since its independence from Portugal in 1974, characterized by political violence and corruption.
  • The military takeover disrupts the fragile democratic process in Guinea-Bissau, raising concerns about governance and the rule of law. The detention of President Embalo and the declaration of 'total control' by the military could further entrench the cycle of instability and violence that has plagued the nation for decades.
  • This recent coup reflects broader issues of governance and security in West Africa, where military interventions have become increasingly common in response to political crises. The international community's response and the potential for further unrest will be critical in determining the future stability of Guinea-Bissau, a country already labeled a 'narcostate' due to pervasive drug trafficking.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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