Guinea-Bissau's new military ruler, General Horta Inta-A, has taken steps to consolidate power following a coup that ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. The general appointed Finance Minister Ilidio Vieira Te as the prime minister in a decree on Friday, just days after military officers took control of the country.
During the swearing-in ceremony, General Horta told Prime Minister Te that he hoped they would "continue to work hand-in-hand." Both officials are close to President Embalo, who had been seeking re-election against his main challenger, Fernando Dias. However, regional and world leaders have condemned the military coup, with the African Union suspending Guinea-Bissau and the Economic Community of West African States freezing it out of decision-making bodies.
The United Nations Secretary-General has also condemned the military's "unacceptable violation of democratic principles," while the European Union urged a swift return to constitutional order. The prime minister of Senegal called the coup a "sham" and called for the electoral process to be allowed to continue.
Ilidio Vieira Te, who previously served in Embalo's government, is seen as a trusted ally by the new military leaders. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan accused Embalo of staging a "ceremonial coup" to stay in power.
As calm returns to the capital, Bissau, army checkpoints have been lifted, and people and vehicles are circulating through the streets. The main stock exchange and markets have also reopened. For many citizens, like 25-year-old street vendor Boubacar Embalo, the lifting of the curfew has allowed them to resume their daily lives.
The situation remains tense, with reports of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and detentions of government officials and opposition politicians. The UN human rights chief has called for the immediate release of those detained and respect for fundamental freedoms.
During the swearing-in ceremony, General Horta told Prime Minister Te that he hoped they would "continue to work hand-in-hand." Both officials are close to President Embalo, who had been seeking re-election against his main challenger, Fernando Dias. However, regional and world leaders have condemned the military coup, with the African Union suspending Guinea-Bissau and the Economic Community of West African States freezing it out of decision-making bodies.
The United Nations Secretary-General has also condemned the military's "unacceptable violation of democratic principles," while the European Union urged a swift return to constitutional order. The prime minister of Senegal called the coup a "sham" and called for the electoral process to be allowed to continue.
Ilidio Vieira Te, who previously served in Embalo's government, is seen as a trusted ally by the new military leaders. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan accused Embalo of staging a "ceremonial coup" to stay in power.
As calm returns to the capital, Bissau, army checkpoints have been lifted, and people and vehicles are circulating through the streets. The main stock exchange and markets have also reopened. For many citizens, like 25-year-old street vendor Boubacar Embalo, the lifting of the curfew has allowed them to resume their daily lives.
The situation remains tense, with reports of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and detentions of government officials and opposition politicians. The UN human rights chief has called for the immediate release of those detained and respect for fundamental freedoms.
I don't think this is going to end well... A new military ruler just taking over in Guinea-Bissau? This whole thing feels like a recipe for disaster 
. They're already lifting checkpoints and markets are reopening, but the UN human rights chief is calling out human rights violations, which means there's still some serious stuff going on under the surface 
. And what about the people who got arrested or detained? We can't just ignore that 
. This coup is a major red flag 
and I have a bad feeling it's gonna take months (or even years) for things to settle down 
.
think guinea bissau is in a bit of a sticky situation right now. it's like they're caught between different groups with different interests at play 
general horta inta-a seems like he's trying to assert control but the regional and world leaders are not having it 
the african union suspending them and the EU urging for a swift return to order...it's all a bit messy. 
still, i think it's good that they're lifting the curfew and stuff is starting to calm down in bissau. but at the same time, human rights violations are a big concern 
gotta hope that ilidio vieira te can navigate this whole situation without further complicating things. 
The situation is tense, and we need to see some concrete steps towards restoring democracy and human rights.
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this coup in Guinea Bissau is getting outta hand fam 
especially after embalo was ousted like what even is going on here 
& that lil te guy as prime minister lolol does he know what he's doing? 
i feel bad 4 the ppl in their country right now tho...it's all kinda confusing wut happens in politics lol why cant we just focus on animals instead? 
i guess it's nice that things are getting back to normal tho...but wut about those people who got arrested? thats so unfair 
General Horta Inta-A taking power is not exactly reassuring... especially with Ilidio Vieira Te being Embalo's old buddy 
. I'm all for regional leaders speaking out against this, like the AU and EU suspending Guinea-Bissau from decision-making bodies. The UN Secretary-General calling it a "violation of democratic principles" is also spot on! 
, now let's see if calmness returns to the capital. Can't help but wonder what Fernando Dias' reaction would've been if he'd won that election 
! Guinea-Bissau's situation is like, super worrying 
? It's like, who gets to decide what happens next in this country? And what about the people? They're stuck in this limbo where they can't even leave their homes