The military has taken over in Guinea-Bissau and sacked President Umaro Sissoco Embalm after a disputed election.
Embamllm confirmed this in a telephone interview with FRANCE 24.
“I have been deposed,” he said, adding that he could not talk further without risking his phone being confiscated.
Embalo said he is currently at the general staff headquarters.
The military officers in the country announced that President Embalo was deposed and all state institutions suspended until further notice, citing the need to clarify the situation before returning to constitutional order.
Earlier in the day, Embalo told Jeune Afrique that he was being arrested, explaining that men in uniform had stormed the presidential palace while he was in his office.
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Biague Na Ntan, the Deputy Chief of Staff, General Mamadou Toure, and the Interior Minister, Botche Cande, were arrested at the same time.
He added that no violence had been committed against him during what he described as a “coup”, which he claimed was led by the army chief of staff.
Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan who is in Guinea-Bissau on election mission, is among election observers trapped in that country, following the closure of land and air borders by the coupists.
Guinea-Bissau is the fourth country the military has taken over.
