Guinea-Bissau president confirms recent gunfire, clashes was attempted coup

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Recent Guinea-Bissau gunfire, clashes was attempted coup - President
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has labelled the recent gunfire and clashes in the capital city, Bissau, as an attempted coup.

The West African nation experienced heightened tensions on Friday when clashes erupted between two army factions, a situation that the president addressed upon his return from the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.

Speaking to journalists, President Embalo asserted, “I can assure you that the events of December 1, 2023, are yet another attempted coup, and those responsible will suffer serious consequences.”

The confrontations began on Thursday night and extended into Friday after National Guard soldiers reportedly freed an opposition minister who had been detained in connection with a investigation.

The clashes marked the latest episode of political unrest in , a country that has frequently grappled with coups since gaining independence from in 1974.

In response to the turmoil, Bissau's army released a statement on Friday indicating that order had been restored by the afternoon.

However, the president's declaration of an attempted coup suggests the lingering fragility of the political landscape.

This incident follows a similar episode on February 1, 2022, when at least six people were killed during a failed attempt to overthrow President Embalo.

Reflecting on the recurring challenges, Embalo emphasized the need to put an end to the upheavals that have plagued -Bissau.

He stated, “On February 1, 2022, we witnessed the same scenario. We still need to put an end once and for all to these upheavals in -Bissau.”

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