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The Guinea-Bissau army announced on Friday that it had successfully prevented an “attempt to subvert the constitutional order” and had detained multiple high-ranking military officials just before the commencement of general election campaigning.
“This action aimed to disrupt the electoral process,” General Mamadu Ture, deputy chief of staff, told a press conference without specifying the number of officers arrested or what actions they planned to take.
Campaigning is set to begin on Saturday in Guinea-Bissau, approximately three weeks before the legislative and presidential elections, which are expected to be dominated by incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embalo, following the disqualification of the main opposition party.
After a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Embalo told journalists that no disruption will be tolerated, adding that the government has taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety of all candidates during the campaign.
Ture reported that Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, who heads a military training facility located about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the capital Bissau, is alleged to be one of the key figures behind the conspiracy and was among those apprehended.
Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has faced numerous coups, but since its 2014 presidential election, the nation has been progressing towards the establishment of the rule of law.
