Guinea-Bissau: narco-plot behind latest African coup?

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[9]UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned [10] the military coup in Guinea-Bissau that took place just days after national elections, saying that it gravely violates constitutional order and democratic principles. The African Union Commission similarly condemned [11] the coup, while the regional bloc ECOWAS suspended [12] Guinea-Bissau until there is a full restoration of constitutional order. This latest military takeover reflects a pattern of instability in Guinea-Bissau since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1974, and follows a long string [13] of coups or coup attempts. Guinea-Bissau also ranks first among African countries in the cocaine trade [14]. In his inaugural speech, transitional President Nta Na Man justified the military takeover as necessary to thwart a plot [15] by "narco-traffickers" to destabilize the country. Government efforts to crack down on the narco trade are believed to have prompted previous coups d'etat [16] in Guinea-Bissau. (Map: PCL [17])

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned [10] the military coup in Guinea-Bissau that took place just days after national elections, saying that it gravely violates constitutional order and democratic principles. The African Union Commission similarly condemned [11] the coup, while the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended [12] Guinea-Bissau from the organization's decision-making bodies until there is a full restoration of constitutional order.

The latest presidential election, pitting incumbent Umaro Sissoko Embaló against his main rival Fernando Dias, took place on Nov. 23. Three days later, both Umaro and Fernando declared victory before the release of official results. The military then announced [18] that it had taken "total control" of the country in the name of a "High Military Command for the Restoration of Order," just a day before the National Elections Commission was scheduled to release the official results.

Embaló was arrested at his presidential office ahead of the military announcement. On Nov. 27, Maj-Gen. Horta Nta Na Man was sworn in as transitional president for a one-year term after the military formally removed Umaro from his position. The ousted Umaro later arrived [19] in Senegal, with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko calling [20] the military coup a "sham."

This latest military takeover reflects a pattern of instability in Guinea-Bissau since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1974. It follows a long string [13] of coups or coup attempts, most recently in 2023 [21].

Guinea-Bissau also ranks first among African countries in the cocaine trade [14]. Experts have argued [22] that "the deep-rooted involvement of Guinea-Bissau’s political-military elite in this illicit market has been a critical factor driving Guinea-Bissau’s repeated cycles of political turmoil." In his inaugural speech, transitional President Nta Na Man justified the military takeover as necessary to thwart a plot [15] by "narco-traffickers" to destabilize the country.

From JURIST [23], Nov. 29. Used with permission.

Note: Government efforts to crack down on the narco trade are believed to have prompted previous coups d'etat [16] in Guinea-Bissau.