Russia calls on the political forces of Guinea-Bissau to make all necessary efforts to stabilise the political situation in the country through dialogue. Spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova made the statement during a briefing.
“We continue to closely monitor the development of the situation and call on the political forces of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to show restraint and make all necessary efforts to stabilise the situation in the country through dialogue within the framework of law and order. The Russian embassy in Guinea-Bissau is taking all measures to ensure the safety of its staff, their family members, and Russian nationals in the country,” Zakharova noted.
President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló was arrested on 26 November, three days after the presidential election and before the official results were announced. According to the president, the “coup d’état” was organised by the chief of staff of the army. The country’s leader later acknowledged that he had been overthrown.
The leader of Guinea-Bissau was detained together with the chief of the Armed Forces General Staff Biague Na Ntan, deputy chief of staff Mamadu Touré and interior minister Botche Candé.
According to media reports, the coup leaders also arrested the country’s former prime minister of Guinea-Bissau Domingos Simões Pereira and opposition politician Fernando Dias.
Following the arrests, the military announced full control of the country, suspended the electoral process and the country’s borders.
According to the military, the coup d’état in the country took place after the uncovering of a “destabilisation plot” involving “politicians, drug cartels and some foreigners”.
On his part, independent presidential candidate in Guinea-Bissau Fernando Dias accused Embaló of a “fabricated” coup d’état. In his view, the ousted leader lost the election and did not want to acknowledge the results. (GSF)
