Guinea-Bissau Gripped: Military Seizes Control, Power Consolidation Underway After Latest Coup

It seems November 28, 2025, will forever be etched into the already turbulent annals of Guinea-Bissau’s history. A quiet Friday, perhaps, suddenly shattered by the familiar, unsettling rumble of military vehicles and stern declarations on state radio. Yes, another coup. In a nation all too familiar with such abrupt shifts, this latest upheaval has seen a new military ruler waste no time in asserting authority, quickly moving to consolidate power in the capital, Bissau, and indeed, across the entire country.

The initial moves were swift, decisive, and frankly, quite textbook for such a situation. We're talking about the immediate dissolution of the government – a familiar sight, sadly. Key political figures, those who held the reins just days ago, have reportedly vanished into military custody. Curfews have been slapped onto the populace, forcing a sudden, uncomfortable quiet onto the streets, especially after dark. The messaging from the new regime, broadcast via state channels, speaks of restoring order, tackling corruption, and setting the nation on a "true path to stability." Lofty promises, indeed, against a backdrop of heavily armed soldiers patrolling the streets.

While details are still emerging, the face behind this latest power grab appears to be General Bacar Cissé, a figure who, until now, held significant but perhaps less public sway within the armed forces. His pronouncements suggest a temporary arrangement, a "caretaker administration" designed to purge the system before an eventual return to civilian rule. But here's the rub, isn't it? Such promises often stretch, bending and contorting as the new leadership finds its footing, or perhaps, its comfort zone.

The global community, as expected, has been quick to react, and not in a way that bodes well for the new regime. ECOWAS, the regional bloc, wasted no time in condemning the coup, issuing stern warnings and demanding an immediate restoration of constitutional order. The African Union and the United Nations have echoed these sentiments, with calls for restraint and the release of detained officials ringing out from international forums. Sanctions, one can't help but wonder, are likely already being discussed behind closed doors, a familiar punitive measure for a nation that seems to perpetually flirt with political instability.

For the people of Guinea-Bissau, this isn't just a news headline; it's their lived reality, a cloud of uncertainty that now hangs heavy over their daily lives. A nation that has weathered numerous coups and attempted coups since gaining independence in 1974 finds itself, once again, at a perilous crossroads. The current situation leaves so many questions unanswered: What does this mean for the economy? For their democratic aspirations? The path ahead, it must be said, remains shrouded, fraught with both the potential for further turmoil and, for some, perhaps, a desperate, fragile hope that this time, just maybe, things will genuinely change for the better. Only time, as ever, will tell.