Intense gunfire erupted in Guinea-Bissau’s capital on Friday morning following an attempt by National Guard soldiers to liberate a detained minister and a senior state official. After taking the officials into custody, the soldiers sought refuge in barracks south of the capital. Subsequent efforts at negotiation failed, prompting special forces to intervene, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Eventually, calm was restored.
The leader of the group attempting to free the detained individuals is now in custody, with the army asserting that the “situation is completely under control.” Finance Minister Souleiman Seidi and Secretary of State for the Treasury António Monteiro had been detained as part of investigations into the alleged irregular withdrawal of $10 million (£8 million) of state funds. They were questioned by an anti-corruption inquiry to clarify payments to 11 companies.
During a parliamentary session, the main opposition party leader alleged that the companies’ owners had close ties to the country’s governing coalition. Mr. Seidi defended the payments as legal. After the questioning, the detained officials were arrested to avoid jeopardizing the investigations. National Guard soldiers later invaded police cells, freeing the officials and taking them to an undisclosed location.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is currently abroad attending the UN’s COP28 climate conference in Dubai. Regional stabilisation forces deployed by the West African bloc Ecowas were seen patrolling the streets on Friday morning.
Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups since gaining independence in 1974. Last year, the president claimed to survive a coup attempt linked to drug trafficking, although questions and doubts surround the details of the incident. The country has grappled with drug-related issues, and its political landscape remains complex.
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