BISSAU, Nov 26 (The African Portal) – Guinea-Bissau’s military announced on Wednesday that it had taken full control of the country and ordered the closure of all borders, three days after presidential and legislative elections in which both leading candidates claimed victory.
The declaration followed reports of gunfire near the presidential palace earlier in the day, according to a journalist with Agence France-Presse.
There was no immediate information on the whereabouts of the incumbent president or senior government officials, and the military did not specify whether it intended to form a transitional authority.
Political tensions have been high since Sunday’s vote, with rival candidates each asserting early victory before the release of official results. The electoral commission has yet to publish final tallies.
International observers have not commented on the army’s declaration, and communication from government offices remained limited.
