A group of military officers has announced that they have seized control of Guinea-Bissau amid reports that the president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, has been arrested.

Sources have told the BBC that President Embaló has been arrested by armed men after gunfire was heard near the presidential palace.

Witnesses in the capital, Bissau, heard gunshots at around 13:00 GMT.

However, it was not immediately clear who was involved in the shooting.

AFP news agency reported that hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles fled, seeking shelter as the shots rang out.

The army officers said they had formed “The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and would be in charge of the West African nation until further notice.

Other Guinea-Bissau Leaders Targeted

Reports indicate that the operation did not target the president alone.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Biague Na Ntan, his deputy, General Mamadou Touré, and Interior Minister Botché Candé were also detained by the same faction of the armed forces.

Witnesses reported hearing gunfire at about 1 p.m. local time, although it remains unclear who was involved in the shooting or how the confrontation began.

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Embaló Confirms Arrest

Embaló confirmed to The Africa Report’s sister publication, Jeune Afrique, that he was arrested on Wednesday, November 26, at around 1 pm while he was in his office at the presidential palace.

He insisted that no physical violence was used against him; however, eyewitnesses and security sources reported gunfire near the palace and around the national electoral commission’s premises earlier in the day.”

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The reports come three days after a presidential election in which the main opposition candidate was disqualified.

The results were expected on Thursday – both Embaló and his closest rival, Fernando Dias, have claimed victory.

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Guinea-Bissau president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló. PHOTO/UGC.