Ousted Guinea-Bissau President Embalo arrives safely in Senegal

Ousted Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has been successfully evacuated to Senegal following his removal from power during this week's military coup in the West African nation. Senegal's government confirmed the safe transfer of the deposed leader aboard a specially chartered aircraft in a late Thursday announcement.

Successful Evacuation Operation

Senegal's Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming that President Embalo arrived "safe and sound" in Senegal after the government "chartered an aircraft to travel to Bissau in order to assist in this repatriation operation." The ministry noted that Dakar had maintained continuous communication with various political actors in Guinea-Bissau since the military takeover, focusing particularly on securing Embalo's release and facilitating border reopenings to assist with detainee repatriation and electoral observation missions.

Regional Response to Military Coup

The evacuation occurred following an extraordinary virtual summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) addressing the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau. On Wednesday, military officers identifying as the "High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order" announced they had "assumed full powers of the state" during a broadcast on national television. The military leadership subsequently imposed media blackouts, suspended electoral processes, closed national borders, and established a nine-hour nightly curfew.

Political Context and Transitional Arrangements

The coup unfolded amid contested presidential election results, with both independent candidate Fernando Dias and incumbent President Embalo's camp claiming victory before official results were announced. International election observers have urged the African Union and ECOWAS to take decisive measures to restore constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau. Meanwhile, the military command appointed General Horta Inta-A as transitional president on Thursday, solidifying their control over the small West African nation that has experienced multiple coups since gaining independence.