Guinea-Bissau: Coup fears as gunfire erupts in capital

[muriel_volestrangler]

A reporter on the ground, Alberto Dabo, told BBC News that unidentified heavily armed gunmen had attacked the government palace while President Embalo was meeting Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam inside.

He said that two people had been killed and, according to "reliable sources", the president and all the members of the government were still inside the palace "in the hands of" the attackers.

A security source who did not want to be identified told the BBC that gunmen in civilian clothes had opened fire and a police officer had been killed.

The military had regained control of the situation and it was now "calm", he said, but he added that the whereabouts of the president and prime minister were unknown.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-60220701

Reuters:

W.African bloc condemns 'attempted coup' in Guinea-Bissau

The West African bloc ECOWAS on Tuesday condemned an 'attempted coup' in Guinea-Bissau, where heavy gunfire was heard near a government compound where the president had been chairing a cabinet meeting.

If confirmed, this would be the second coup in West Africa in as many weeks after the military seized power in Burkina Faso last week.
...
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and cabinet members were in the compound, surrounded by the military, according to three sources -- one diplomatic, one security and one police. The president and ministers' exact situation was unclear.
...
A security source with contacts inside the Government Palace said an unknown number of people had been hit by gunfire. A second source said two people were dead, but it was unclear who they were.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/heavy-gunfire-heard-near-guinea-bissau-presidential-palace-2022-02-01/

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Guinea-Bissau under control, president says, after feared coup attempt

Guinea-Bissau’s president, Umaro Cissoco Embaló, has said the situation in the country is “under control” following fears of an attempted coup and heavy gunfire in the capital.
...
The state broadcaster reported that “invaders” were holding government officials but on Tuesday evening, a statement from the president’s Facebook account said “Calm returns to Bissau!”

Then in a statement broadcast live on local media on Tuesday night, the president said that security forces were able to stop a “failed attack against democracy” and that “many” security officials had died. No ministers were killed he said and arrests had already been made.

On Tuesday many of the capital’s streets were scarce due to fears of the unrest.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/01/fears-of-guinea-bissau-coup-attempt-amid-gunfire-in-capital