Instability in Guinea-Bissau has reached a new level of political chaos. The "transition period" is marked by arbitrary detentions, human rights violations, and questionable governmental reorganizations. Since independence in 1974, this is the tenth coup d'état, plunging the country back into a crisis that pushes it further away from democracy.

The coup of November 26, 2025, deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who was subsequently sent to Senegal. The military operations led to the detention of magistrates, political leaders, members of the National Electoral Commission, and opposition representatives.

These actions raise serious concerns about the physical integrity of the detainees and due process. National organizations, such as the Guinean League for Human Rights, and international entities strongly condemn the actions of the new military command.

Simultaneously, the new transitional President, General Horta Inta-A, is moving forward with rapid appointments to a provisional government, seeking to consolidate his authority. However, the suspension of media outlets, the lack of transparency, and the interruption of the electoral process are fueling fears about the country's democratic direction.

The central challenge remains: to restore the full constitutional functioning of Guinea-Bissau and protect the fundamental rights of the population.

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The wave of arrests has become the most alarming aspect of this new political phase. The Guinean League for Human Rights denounced dozens of illegal and arbitrary detentions, including five magistrates from the Public Prosecutor's Office, the president of the National Elections Commission, Mpabi Kabi, and several members of the secretariat, key players in the electoral process.

Political leaders and figures close to the opposition, such as Domingos Simões Pereira, MP Octávio Lopes, and Roberto Mbesba (linked to Fernando Dias' campaign), were also taken away by the armed forces. According to Bubacar Turé, president of the League, many of them were targeted for resisting attempts to tamper with the election results.

For Bubacar Turé, the arrests confirm rumors of serious interference in the final stages of the election and reveal an unprecedented political persecution since the crises of 2012 and 2023. The League warns that the whereabouts of several detainees remain unknown, posing real risks to their physical safety.

In addition to the arrests, the population is living under reports of home invasions without warrants and the detention of about thirty young people who, after protesting for electoral transparency, were beaten. The League demands the immediate release of all those detained and holds the military command responsible for their safety.

For Turé, the only way to avoid worsening the crisis is through the immediate conclusion of the electoral process, the announcement of the results, and the inauguration of the newly elected President, which would allow for the restoration of constitutional order.

Internationally, there is a growing chorus of criticism and calls for firm intervention by ECOWAS. The regional organization has already sent exploratory delegations to Bissau and maintains contact with member states, while several countries emphasize the importance of preventing Guinea-Bissau from returning to prolonged cycles of institutional breakdown.

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General Horta Inta-A was sworn in as transitional President, assuming the leadership of the State for a planned period of one year. In a discreet ceremony at the General Staff Headquarters of the Armed Forces, the new leader sought to consolidate his power through swift and strategic appointments.

Among the first decisions, the choice of Ilídio Vieira Té as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance stands out. Vieira Té, a former minister in Embaló's government, is considered one of the most trusted men of the deposed President, which has generated varied interpretations in the political field.

Vieira Té, a lawyer trained in Morocco with a master's degree in Human Rights, previously held responsibilities in Embaló's presidential campaign, which raises questions about the autonomy of the military government in relation to the political dynamics prior to the coup.

A few hours later, an expanded government structure was announced, comprising twenty-three ministries and five state secretariats. Among those appointed was presidential candidate João Bernardo Vieira, now Minister of Foreign Affairs, a choice that surprised observers and analysts.

The composition of the government aims to project an image of stability and administrative functionality, although for many it constitutes an attempt by the military to legitimize the new power through the integration of figures with national political weight. This effort at institutional reorganization is taking place in an environment of strong internal contestation and external scrutiny.

A curfew was imposed and all radio, television, and press broadcasts were suspended. This action constitutes censorship, raising concerns. The transitional government argues that these measures are necessary to guarantee public order, but, as time goes on, the fear of the consolidation of a closed and long-lasting military regime grows.

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The international community's reaction was immediate and forceful. Nigeria, South Africa, the African Union, ECOWAS, the European Union, and several multilateral partners condemned the coup, called for the release of those detained, and demanded a return to constitutional order.

For Abuja, the coup represents a direct threat to the stability of West Africa and a serious violation of ECOWAS principles that prohibit access to power by unconstitutional means. Nigeria demanded that the military respect the will expressed at the ballot box and guarantee the safety of all detainees.

South Africa reinforced these criticisms, highlighting that the coup occurred at a critical moment in the electoral process and demonstrates contempt for popular sovereignty. Pretoria reaffirmed its willingness to cooperate with the African Union and ECOWAS in the search for a solution that ensures lasting stability in Guinea-Bissau.

Russia adopted a more cautious stance, calling for restraint and dialogue between political forces. Moscow stated it was closely monitoring the crisis and appealed for the restoration of order within legal limits.

This approach reflects Moscow's often pragmatic stance in the region, focused on preserving minimal stability without directly interfering in the internal dynamics of states.

At the regional level, ECOWAS convened an emergency summit to define its official position. The organization has faced significant challenges in recent years due to a succession of coups in the Sahel and West Africa, a scenario that weakens its response capacity and puts pressure on collective security mechanisms.

The suspensions of media outlets also exacerbate international concerns. Organizations such as Reporters Without Borders denounce serious violations of press freedom which, in an environment of political crisis, increase the risk of disinformation and manipulate public perception at a crucial moment for the country's democratic future.