General Horta N'Tam Assumes Leadership in Guinea-Bissau Following Coup

Fri Nov 28 2025 08:21:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amidst chaos following an alleged coup, General Horta N'Tam is sworn in as the new transitional president of Guinea-Bissau, raising questions about the legitimacy of the previous government led by Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

Just a day after an apparent military coup, General Horta N'Tam has been sworn in as Guinea-Bissau's new head of state for a transitional period of one year. His rise to power comes amidst accusations against the previous president of orchestrating a false coup to delay election results, as civil unrest and military control unfold in the capital. The African Union has demanded the release of detained leaders amid these turbulent developments.

An army general has been sworn in as Guinea-Bissau's new head of state a day after an apparent coup.

Gen Horta N'Tam becomes the transitional president for a period of one year. He took the oath on Thursday, in brief and muted proceedings at army headquarters.

N'Tam, who until a day earlier had been head of the presidential guard, barely cracked a smile during his swearing-in or while stood outside flanked by officers for the cameras.

Some civil society groups in Guinea-Bissau have accused outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of masterminding a simulated coup against himself with the help of the military, claiming it was a ruse to block election results from being announced in case he lost.

This manoeuvre aims to prevent the publication of the electoral results scheduled for tomorrow, November 27, stated the civil society coalition Popular Front.

Embaló has not responded to the allegations but has claimed to have survived multiple coup attempts during his time in office. Critics have accused him of fabricating crises to suppress dissent.

Following the coup, the military suspended the electoral process and barred the release of results from the presidential election held on Sunday. An unnamed military source informed AFP that Embaló is being held well-treated at army headquarters.

The chair of the African Union, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of President Embalo and all detained officials, reiterating the need to respect the electoral process.

Guinea-Bissau, nestled between Senegal and Guinea, has a history of military influence and political instability, having experienced numerous coups since its independence from Portugal in 1974. Recent events add to this tumultuous legacy.