Authorities in Guinea Bissau has arrested senior military officers allegedly planning a coup.
The armed forces of the country confirmed the development in a statement following a wide speculations in the country.
The alleged coup plot involved several senior officers who were reported missing starting Monday, and was announced the day before the general election campaign was set to begin.
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“This sad episode, which involves some general and senior officers of our Armed Forces, jeopardizes the peace and stability so desired for socio-economic development and the attraction of foreign investment,” a statement from the armed forces General Staff reads.
The coup attempt was allegedly led by the director of a military training school, Brig. Gen. Daba Na Walna, with the support of some generals and senior officers.
No mention was made of what will happen to the alleged coup plotters or how many of them have been accused of taking part.
An Associate Press (AP) reported that this is the second known coup attempt against President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who came to power in 2020.
GLOBAL TRACKER gathered from security analyst and counter insurgency expert in lake chad region and west Africa that the development has heightened political tensions in the small West African nation, which has experienced several coups and attempted takeovers since independence in 1973.
The sources said that investigations were ongoing to identify other possible conspirators and ensure the safety and stability of the country ahead of the elections.