"The atmosphere across Guinea-Bissau was tense but calm on the morning of November 26. Three days after the presidential election, the West African nation of 2.5 million people was waiting for the official announcement of the winner by the National Electoral Commission, as most of the votes had already been counted. At that time, both domestic and international election observers agreed: incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo appeared to have been voted out of office, with non-partisan opposition candidate Fernando Dias seemingly poised to declare victory."
"But at 12:40 pm local time, the sounds of machine-gun fire and panicked screams rang out from the presidential palace as well as from the building that houses the National Electoral Commission. Panic spread instantly, as the blare of gunfire continued for half an hour. The actual commotion of the putsch lasted only for about half an hour but its repercussions are likely to to affect the country for many months to come"
"The military leadership claimed to have foiled a plot involving several senior politicians as well as drug traffickers, who according to media reports have been operating in the impoverished African nation with impunity for years. Furthermore, the freshly self-appointed junta confirmed that the electoral process had officially been suspended though it confirm reports of the arrest of outgoing President Embalo."
The morning of November 26 in Guinea-Bissau was tense but calm as the nation awaited the National Electoral Commission's winner announcement three days after the presidential vote. Most votes had been counted and observers indicated incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embalo appeared to have been voted out, with Fernando Dias poised to declare victory. At 12:40 pm gunfire erupted around the presidential palace and the electoral commission, causing panic as fighting lasted about half an hour. Two hours later the Supreme Military Command announced that soldiers had taken control "to restore national security and public order," claimed to have foiled plots involving senior politicians and drug traffickers, suspended the electoral process, and confirmed reports of Embalo's arrest.
Read at www.dw.com
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