The military group that took power on Wednesday in Guinea-Bissau announced on Thursday that Gen Horta netaUntil now, Chief of General Staff to President Umaru Sissoko Embalo, He will be the new leader of the government transition, which led to the consolidation of the insurgency despite strong condemnations from international organizations and African countries.
General Horta Nta, who has become the country’s new strongman since Thursday, was appointed to the position of Prime Minister Driving A one-year transition period for self-appointed people Supreme military leadership To restore national security and public order, as the ruling military junta calls itself.
Nta took office in a ceremony held at the army headquarters in Bissau, where he confirmed that the army They intervened to “Protecting democracy and political stability” He attributed the coup to the “intense activity of groups linked to drug trafficking” which, he said, tried to influence the electoral process “to control democracy itself.” In addition, the army announced a ban on demonstrations, strikes, and any action that “would disturb peace and stability in the country.”
A coup on the eve of the election results
The uprising occurred on Wednesday afternoon, on the eve of the announcement of the results of the general elections that took place on Sunday, which were characterized by positive results. Exclusion One of the prominent opposition leaders. The army announced the “immediate” dismissal of packed, Which he claimed he was He was arrested and overthrown, He ordered the closure of borders and airspace “until further orders are issued.”
At the same time they issued a decree comment “Instant” operation. ElectoralAnd the closure of state institutions and “social media devices.” The junta also imposed a night-time curfew, a measure that will be lifted on Friday to restore normal traffic and reduce tension in the capital, where there were military reinforcements at strategic points.
In addition, the military junta that took power appointed a general on Thursday Thomas Djasi As the new head of the armed forces, replacing Horta Netta. Djasi’s appointment was made official by A Presidential decree It was broadcast on public television and took effect immediately.
“President of the Transitional Republic, General Horta Neta “The new Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Thomas Djasi, has been appointed and appointed,” state-run Guinea-Bissau Television said on its social networks.
Cross accusations
Before the Commander’s Department opponent Fernando Dias da Costa – Embalo’s main rival in the elections – accused the president of this “invent” The coup to avoid his supposed defeat at the polls after they both declared themselves The victors Hours before the coup.
“There is no coup in Guinea Bissau,” he said. The President of the Republic invented that coup simply because he saw that he did not have the necessary conditions to win the elections. “Then he decided to invent something and call it a coup,” da Costa said in a video posted on Facebook. In addition, the opponent also stated that it was the army that seized power People close to the head of state: He wondered, “If it was a real coup, why did someone close to the President of the Republic assume leadership?” question.
The organizations civil society, Such as the Popular Front and the Civil Society Organizations Coordination Space, supported this narrative and accused Embalo of “Organizing a coupHe was executed by “a group of militiamen linked to the presidency,” motivated, they say, by “utter despair over the election results.”
International condemnation
Head of the African Union CommissionMahmoud Ali Youssef condemned the coup and confirmed its policy “Intolerance” The organization faces any unconstitutional change of government. He also stressed the “urgent need” to respect the electoral process Maintaining the constitutional order.
Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, who holds the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), chaired a virtual meeting of the bloc on Thursday, which included heads of state and government. Analysis of the political crisisHe assured that the response would be “Determined, principled and consistent” With group path. Moreover, in his account He added: “Our response will be firm, principled, and consistent with our history.”
For his part, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced its continuation “deeply concerned” situation and called for “moderation” and “respect for the rule of law,” according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Heads of missions of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Traditional Leaders Forum (WAEF) also attended. They denounced the coup A few hours after it was certified that the elections were “democratic, free and participatory.”