Was it a coup or was it a 'sham'? Behind Guinea-Bissau's military takeover
10 hours ago Share Save Nicolas Negoce , BBC Africa and Wedaeli Chibelushi Share Save
AFP via Getty Images Gen Horta N'Tam, Guinea-Bissau's new leader, was considered to be a close ally of the former president
Military takeovers are nothing new in Guinea-Bissau. The West African country has experienced at least nine attempted and successful coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. But when military officers announced they had seized control of the country last Wednesday, some analysts and political figures were sceptical. All the typical ingredients for a coup were there: gunfire was heard near the presidential palace, the President - Umaro Sissoco Embaló - was arrested and soldiers gave an address on state television. Still, other circumstances have been called into question, with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan joining a chorus of voices who believe the takeover was masterminded by Embaló himself. And to complicate matters further, the military insisted to the BBC that it had taken over the country, but condemned the use of the word "coup".
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