The military in Guinea-Bissau has taken power. They removed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló from his position on Wednesday. They also stopped all government work and closed the country's borders. The army set up a new temporary government.
A military leader, Brigadier General Denis N’Canha, spoke on television. He said the army acted to stop politicians from changing the election results. He also said these politicians had help from a drug dealer to cause problems in the country. Soldiers were seen near important buildings in the capital, Bissau. People heard gunfire in the area.
On Thursday, General Horta Nta Na Man was sworn in as the new leader. He promised a one-year transition period before new elections. This sudden change stopped the process of counting votes from the recent presidential election.
This is not the first time this has happened in Guinea-Bissau. Since the country became independent in 1974, this is the ninth time the military has tried to take control. The country is very poor and has problems with drug trafficking.
However, not everyone believes the military's story. Some civil society groups and the main opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, have a different idea. They think the removed president may have planned a fake coup. They say he might have done this to cancel the election results if he lost.
Other countries and African organizations are very worried. They have asked for the immediate release of the president and other officials. The future of the country is now very uncertain and in the hands of the military.