Guinea-Bissau Coup: Brig. Gen. Denis N’Canha Announces State Takeover

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ

High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order

Guinea-Bissau — 26 November 2025

The High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order, constituted by the senior leadership of the various branches of the Armed Forces, hereby informs the Nation and the international community that it has assumed the full powers of the State of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to the values of national security, civil peace, the defense of territorial integrity, and the preservation of the independence of Guinea-Bissau.

1. Discovery of a National Destabilization Plot

The High Military Command is responding to the discovery of an advanced and dangerous plan to destabilize the country, designed and executed through an operational scheme involving:

Certain national political actors;

The participation of a well-known drug baron with national and foreign connections.

Attempts to manipulate electoral results in the ongoing electoral process.

This plot was uncovered through intelligence operations conducted by the State Information Service, which also intercepted a significant cache of war armaments intended to fuel the destabilization effort.

2. Extraordinary Measures to Safeguard the Nation

Until the situation is fully clarified and the necessary conditions are re-established for the complete return to constitutional normality, the High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order has decided to enact the following measures, effective immediately:

Dismissal of the President of the Republic.

Suspension of all institutions of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau until further notice.

Suspension of the activities of all media and communication outlets until new directives are issued.

Immediate suspension of the ongoing electoral process.

Closure of all land borders, maritime access points, and national airspace.

Establishment of a mandatory curfew from 19:00 to 06:00, until conditions allow otherwise.

These measures are necessary to preserve the State, protect the population, and prevent further escalation of the national emergency.

3. Exercise of State Authority

As of today’s date, the High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order assumes the exercise of State authority across the entire national territory.

4. Appeal to the Nation

The High Military Command calls upon all citizens to remain calm, cooperate with the security forces, and demonstrate understanding in the face of this grave situation imposed by a national emergency.

Our mission is clear: to restore order, safeguard national stability, and guarantee the return to constitutional normality as soon as conditions permit.