Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Guinea Bissau Sets 2026 Elections After Coup
Guinea Bissau is a country in West Africa.
On November 26, 2023, some soldiers in the army took control of the country in a coup.
They removed the president, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, and put Major-General Horta Inta-a in charge temporarily.
The soldiers said they did this because there were problems with the election.
The election was supposed to happen the next day, but the soldiers stopped it.
They took the ballots and destroyed the computers that had the results.
A group of countries in West Africa called the Economic Community of West African States said the coup was not good and told the soldiers to let the election happen.
Now, the new leaders have said that the election will happen on December 6, 2026.
Guinea Bissau's Military High Command seized power on November 26, 2023, disrupting the electoral process.
The coup toppled incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and installed Major-General Horta Inta-a as interim president.
The Economic Community of West African States criticized the coup and called for the restoration of order and the election process.
The electoral commission was unable to complete the election process due to armed men seizing ballots and destroying servers.
Presidential and legislative elections have been scheduled for December 6, 2026, by presidential decree.
- Who
- Guinea Bissau's Military High Command
- What
- Scheduled presidential and legislative elections for December 6, 2026, following a coup
- When
- Coup on November 26, 2023; Election date set by decree on January 22, 2024
- Where
- Guinea Bissau, West Africa
- Why
- To restore order and proceed with the electoral process after the coup disrupted the original election
- Country
- Guinea Bissau
- Election Date
- December 6, 2026
- Coup Date
- November 26, 2023
- Interim President
- Major-General Horta Inta-a
- Criticized By
- Economic Community of West African States
- Reason for Election Disruption
- Armed men seized ballots and destroyed servers