The military has reportedly overthrown the democratic government in Guinea-Bissau and arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

According to TheAfricaReport, Embalo was arrested on Wednesday, 26 November, at around 1 pm while he was in his office at the presidential palace.

Also arrested were the armed forces’ chief of staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan; the deputy chief of staff, General Mamadou Touré; and the interior minister, Botché Candé.

According to the outgoing president, no force was used against him during what he calls a “coup d’état”, which he says was led by the army chief of staff.

The latest development comes amid a tense election dispute between Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and the main opposition candidate, Fernando Dias.

The presidential election, held last Sunday, has seen both candidates claiming victory. President Embaló said he won with 65% of the vote, according to his own tally.

Meanwhile, Dias also asserted that he had won, even though provisional results—expected to be published on Thursday—must first be validated by the Supreme Court, which has not yet set a date.

“We have won the presidential race. We will not have a second round,” Dias told supporters in the capital, Bissau, adding that the people were “tired” and wanted change.

The conflicting claims have heightened political tensions in the country, which eventually led to the reported coup.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced four coups since independence, the last in 2012, as well as multiple attempted coups.

Embalo was originally elected in December 2019 for a five-year term and had stated that he would only serve once.