Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau on Thursday (November 27, 2025) announced a new junta leader, cementing a forceful takeover of power that began after a disputed presidential election, in what the main opposition candidate called a ploy to prevent him from taking over power.
The military high command in the West African nation inaugurated Gen. Horta Inta-A as the head of the military government, which will oversee a one-year transition period, according to a declaration broadcast on state television.
Guinea-Bissau military officers declare taking 'total control' of country
Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest countries, has been dogged by coups and attempted coups since its independence from Portugal more than 50 years ago, including a coup attempt in October. The country of 2.2 million people is known as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, a trend that experts say has fueled its political crises.
“The inability of political actors to stem the deterioration of the political climate ultimately prompted the intervention of the armed forces,” said Inta-A, who was the Army Chief of Staff until the coup and a close ally of deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
