The President of Guinea-Bissau condemned on Saturday December 2 an “attempted coup” that would have “serious consequences” after clashes broke out between the army and elements of the security forces in which at least two people were killed .
Published on: 02/12/2023 – 10:53 p.m
2 minutes
“I was in Dubai where I took part in COP28. I couldn’t return because of the attempted coup. I want to tell you that this act will have serious consequences,” President Umaro Sissoco Embaló told the press upon his return to Bissau. “There were clues, we will show them to you. “This coup was prepared before November 16 (date of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Armed Forces),” he continued.
Elements of the National Guard stormed into the premises of the Criminal Investigation Department on Thursday evening, November 30, to extract the Minister of Economy and Finance, Souleiman Seidi, and the Undersecretary of State for the Ministry of Finance, Antonio Monteiro. The two members of the government were questioned by the criminal police on the instructions of the prosecutor general appointed by the president about a withdrawal of ten million dollars from the state treasury.
Also read: Guinea-Bissau: Confusing situation in the country’s capital
Holed up in a barracks in the south of the capital Bissau, the National Guard clashed with special forces of the Presidential Guard on the night from Thursday to Friday, leaving at least two people dead, according to a military official. With the announcement of the capture or surrender of the National Guard commander, Colonel Victor Tchongo, calm returned on Friday morning.
On Saturday, the security system was relaxed in Bissau, but soldiers could still be seen around certain strategic buildings such as the presidential palace, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and certain ministries, an AFP correspondent noted
“Colonel Tchongo is not crazy. He was sent by someone to enter the PJ facilities and exfiltrate Souleiman Seidi. The realm of laws must function. The Attorney General is the lawyer of the state,” said Mr. Embaló. “We are not organizing a coup against the President of the National Assembly, much less against a Prime Minister, but against the President of the Republic, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armies,” he explained.
The President announced that an investigative commission would be formed on Monday, December 4th.
Some officers and soldiers of the National Guard have dispersed within the country, a press release from the Guinea-Bissau army said on Saturday, without specifying their number. “The General Staff of the Bundeswehr hereby informs you that you must return to your place of deployment,” he continued.
Read also: Guinea-Bissau: The army announces that the situation is “under control” and the head of the National Guard is arrested
(with AFP)