Author: By Gift Habib

Guinea-Bissau, on November 26, 2025, joined the list of African countries that have returned to military rule, abandoning democracy. GIFT HABIB examines the recent events and the rising wave of military interventions across Africa

The military takeover in Guinea-Bissau on November 26, 2025, has pushed Africa deeper into what is increasingly viewed as a renewed era of coups. The seizure of power comes amid a series of military interventions across the continent since 2020, especially in West and Central Africa.

The coup, however, remains a controversy as African leaders believe it was stage-managed. Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Jonathan, alleged that President Umaro Embaló staged the military coup in Guinea-Bissau to avoid losing a presidential election. He said the military takeover was a “ceremonial coup” and demanded that the election results be announced.

Expectedly, the Economic Community of West African States suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies during an emergency meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, which expressed deep concern over the unfolding political crisis.