Guinea Bissau Military Declares “Total Control,” Shuts Borders and Halts Electoral Process

Guinea Bissau was plunged into heightened political uncertainty on Wednesday after senior military officers announced that they had taken “total control” of the country, a move that included the immediate closure of national borders and the suspension of the ongoing electoral process. The declaration came just three days after citizens participated in general elections intended to shape the next phase of leadership in the coup-prone West African nation.

According to military officials who addressed the nation in a televised statement, the decision was taken to “preserve national stability” amid what they described as growing tensions following the vote. The officers claimed that certain political actors were attempting to disrupt the democratic process and endanger public order, prompting what they called “necessary intervention” to ensure security. The statement, as reported by local media, emphasized that the armed forces had assumed authority to “restore calm and protect state institutions.”

Guinea Bissau, which has experienced multiple coups and attempted coups since its independence in 1973, had hoped the latest election would mark a step toward long-term democratic consolidation. However, concerns had been raised by civil society groups even before the vote, with some warning of potential instability if results were disputed. Analysts noted that the military’s action is likely to “escalate political tensions rather than resolve them,” as stated by regional observers monitoring the situation.

The electoral commission had not yet finalized or announced full official results at the time the military intervened. According to eyewitness reports from the capital Bissau, soldiers were deployed to key government buildings early Wednesday morning, restricting access to political offices and state infrastructure. Residents also reported heightened patrols across major streets and the presence of checkpoints along key travel routes.

Regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union are expected to respond, with diplomatic sources indicating that urgent consultations are underway. International partners have repeatedly warned Guinea Bissau’s political and military leadership against any action that undermines the democratic process. A statement from one diplomatic official, as reported by media in the region, described the situation as “deeply worrying” and urged the military to allow constitutional processes to resume.

As the country’s borders remain closed and political activities suspended, citizens now face uncertainty about what comes next. The military did not provide a timeline for when the electoral process would restart or when civilian authority might be restored, leaving Guinea Bissau once again at a critical crossroads in its fragile democratic journey.