Audio By Carbonatix
Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has been arrested by armed men, government sources have told the BBC, after gunfire was heard near the presidential palace.
Witnesses in the capital, Bissau, heard gunshots at around 13:00 GMT but it was not immediately clear who was involved in the shooting.
The reports come three days after a presidential election in which the main opposition candidate was disqualified.
The results were expected on Thursday - both Embaló and his closest rival Fernando Dias have claimed victory.
Hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles fled, seeking shelter as the shots rang out, the AFP news agency reported.
Guinea-Bissau, with a population of just under two million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The former Portuguese colony has seen nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.
There have been two attempts to overthrow Embalo, the latest in December 2023.
Latest Stories
-
Lands ministry engages Ewoyaa chiefs, residents in successful lithium agreement talks
3 minutes -
Controller pays delayed education sector allowances alongside December salaries
3 minutes -
UK and Ghana co-host African Development Fund 17 Pledge Conference in London
10 minutes -
Sir Sam Jonah seeks intervention from Ghana’s Foreign minister over alleged seizure of investments in Nigeria
20 minutes -
Ghana Supreme Court pause on Kpandai parliamentary rerun forces a high-stakes constitutional reckoning
23 minutes -
Minority berates gov’t over deployment of troops to Jamaica, calls it a misplaced priority
29 minutes -
Ghanaian business firm Jonah Capital petitions ICPC and Nigeria’s Parliament over alleged takeover of Abuja real estate assets
36 minutes -
UBA announces key Executive Board appointments and retirements effective Jan 1, 2026
42 minutes -
Adidome Community gets ultra-modern library to boost education
44 minutes -
Raevin closes the year with reflective ‘PIANO II’ featuring Rcee and Jubed
51 minutes -
Teaching renewable energy through stories and play
51 minutes -
Global Media Alliance ranked among Africa’s best at 2025 HR Focus Award
58 minutes -
Take advantage of opportunities in infrastructure development, agric and value chain expansion – GIPC Boss
1 hour -
Absa Bank marks Christmas with 9 Lessons and Carols Service
1 hour -
GIPC underscores need to deepen investment cooperation between Ghana and Suriname
1 hour
