By Obinna Pascal Amajuoyi, Publisher
 |
| Guinea-Bissau coups |
On November 26, 2025, Guinea-Bissau was thrust once again into turmoil. Gunfire echoed across the capital as military officers seized control, arresting President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and suspending the electoral process. Later that day, General Denis N’Canha, head of the military household at the presidential palace, declared the formation of the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order. Citizens were instructed to “remain calm” as checkpoints sprang up across Bissau and the streets emptied ahead of a 19:00 GMT curfew.
The Anatomy of the Takeover
The putschists claimed they acted to thwart destabilization allegedly backed by politicians and a “well-known drug baron.” Embaló, who had hoped to secure a historic second consecutive mandate, admitted in a phone call to France 24: “I have been deposed.” Alongside him, rival Fernando Dias, former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira, and Interior Minister Botché Candé were also detained. Even the army chief, Gen Biague Na Ntan, and his deputy, Gen Mamadou Touré, were taken into custody—signaling a purge of the nation’s top leadership.
A Troubled Legacy
Guinea-Bissau is no stranger to coups. Since independence from Portugal in 1974, the country has witnessed at least nine coups or attempted coups. Embaló himself claimed to have survived multiple attempts during his presidency, though critics allege he fabricated crises to suppress dissent. His legitimacy had already been questioned, with opposition figures insisting his mandate expired in February 2025.
This latest coup underscores the fragility of governance in a nation plagued by poverty, corruption, and drug trafficking. With its uninhabited islands serving as transit points for cocaine from Latin America to Europe, the UN has long dubbed Guinea-Bissau a “narco-state.”
Regional and International Response
The African Union and ECOWAS expressed “deep concern” over the coup, noting that the electoral process had been “orderly and peaceful” before being derailed. Portugal, the former colonial power, called for a return to constitutional order and urged all parties to refrain from violence. Yet condemnation alone cannot restore trust or stability.
The Human Dimension
Behind the political drama are ordinary citizens—families confined indoors, businesses shuttered, and communities silenced by fear. For them, democracy is not merely about ballots and constitutions; it is about dignity, opportunity, and stability. Each coup strips away that promise, leaving uncertainty in its place.
Africa must confront this recurring cycle with courage and clarity. Military interventions cannot substitute for governance reforms. What is needed are stronger institutions, transparent leadership, and regional solidarity that prioritizes citizens over power struggles.
As Publisher of Binnabook, I call on African leaders, civil society, and the diaspora to treat Guinea-Bissau’s tragedy as a wake-up call. Democracy must not only be defended—it must be made real in the daily lives of our people.
Closing Note
History will not remember us for the coups we endured, but for the resilience we built in response. Africa’s future lies not in the barrel of a gun, but in the collective will of its people to demand and sustain accountable governance.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Your Views are needed.Thanks!