Gambiaj.com – (BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau) – The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau has announced the arrest of several generals and senior officers accused of plotting to overthrow the constitutional order, just weeks ahead of the country’s legislative and presidential elections scheduled for November 23.
In a strongly worded statement read to the press by Brigadier General Fernando Gomes da Silva at the Amura Fortress in Bissau, the military denounced what it described as a “real and unacceptable” attempt to destabilize the nation.
The statement said the detained officers were allegedly planning a coup d’état and that investigations were ongoing to identify all those involved.
“This unfortunate episode, involving some general and senior officers of our Armed Forces, compromises the peace and stability so desired for socioeconomic development and the attraction of foreign investment,” the General Staff declared.
Audio recordings described as “fragments” of the inquiry’s findings were played during the press briefing to demonstrate the authenticity of the alleged plot.
The General Staff warned that those still at large would be apprehended and prosecuted, stressing that the security forces would not tolerate any disruption of the upcoming elections.
Brigadier General Dabana Na Walna Implicated
According to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Mamadu Turé (N’Cruma), Brigadier General Dabana Na Walna, a former instructor at the Cumeré Training Center, was among those implicated in the plot.
Turé said Walna had requested weapons, vehicles, and bulletproof vests from the Ministry of the Interior under the pretext of conducting training exercises, but the materials were allegedly intended for use in the coup.
Turé condemned the involvement of soldiers in political schemes, asserting that “the attempted coup was real and not an invention.” He compared the incident to the foiled February 2022 coup attempt, which left eleven people dead, emphasizing that political figures had been behind that earlier plot as well.
“It is regrettable what we are witnessing. Our comrades were interrogated, and everyone heard. Some ignore advice and allow themselves to be led by politicians,” he said, warning that any citizen, politician, or military officer who attempts to destabilize the country would be arrested without exception.
Military Pledges Vigilance During Elections
The military command also announced the creation of a Joint Command comprising over 15,000 personnel from the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Public Order Police, and the ECOWAS Stabilization Forces. The unit will be responsible for safeguarding candidates, political parties, and voters across the country.
“The defense and security forces warn that they will not allow any interference through social media or other means that could destabilize or discredit the military leadership,” the statement added.
DSP Distances Himself From Coup Allegations
Meanwhile, Domingos Simões Pereira (DSP), president of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) and one of the contenders disqualified from running in the presidential contest, has categorically denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot.
Speaking at a political meeting in Bissau on October 30, Simões Pereira said he has never been associated with any act aimed at undermining Guinea-Bissau’s constitutional order, emphasizing that he has always relied on democratic mechanisms to resolve political disputes.
“There is no moment or circumstance in which I have been associated or mentioned as having any intention to reverse the constitutional order,” he stated.
He recalled that during a past political standoff with former President José Mario Vaz, it was outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, not him,who suggested during a meeting in Dakar that a coup might be the only way to resolve the impasse.
“It is sad when a President of the republic, out of office, intends once again to summon the Guinean people to a moment of instability,” Simões Pereira said. “The people must now give an appropriate democratic response.”
Embalo had earlier accused Simões Pereira of seeking to stage a coup, warning that “this time any attempt will not succeed.”
As Guinea-Bissau approaches its highly anticipated elections, the arrests and mutual accusations have deepened political tensions in a country long plagued by instability and military interference in politics.
