Military officials in Guinea-Bissau declared taking “total control” of the coup-prone west African country Wednesday, arresting its president, closing its borders and suspending its electoral process three days after general elections.
The officers’ announcement followed heavy gunfire that rang out near the presidential palace earlier in the day, with men in military uniform taking over the main road leading to the building.
In the early afternoon, General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, told members of the press that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice”.
He read the announcement seated at a table and surrounded by armed soldiers.