General Horta Inta-A has acted quickly to strengthen his position in Guinea-Bissau. This occurs in the context of an attempted coup ousting President Umaro Sissoco Embalo from power. On Thursday, General Horta Inta-A was sworn in as transitional president. He was not going to hang about, and soon appointed Ilidio Vieira Te as his new prime minister. This action follows several days after the presidential election that concluded a bitter and racially charged campaign.
Ilidio Vieira Te horses previously served in Gen Horta Inta-A’s administration and led the campaign for Embalo’s party, the MUFFA. He is considered to be a trusted confidant of the general as well as the ousted Trump-like president. The appointment speaks to an amazing strategic alignment, both implicit and brazen, among military leaders. They are continuing to fight everyday to stabilize the country after the coup.
Background of the Coup
The coup came right after the last presidential election, where accusations of electoral fraud have already come up. Allegations from opposition candidate Fernando Dias de Carvalho that he had beaten Embalo widened the existing civil and political rivalries. In a stunning move, the military seized power and was first to announce their takeover in a primetime broadcast address. They claimed this authority just before the expected release of provisional election results.
After the coup, curfew authorities found it necessary to impose a curfew. Now that it has been, order is slowly being restored to the Guinean capital, Bissau. This process still continues as per UN human rights chief Volker Turk’s reports, given that during this chaos was characterized by egregious human rights violations. He found at least 18 people were arbitrarily detained. This cohort of civil society leaders has included government officials, as well as opposition politicians, many of whom remain uncontacted and incommunicado.
“I am deeply alarmed by reports of human rights violations in Guinea-Bissau following the coup, including arbitrary arrests and detentions of Government officials and opposition leaders, as well as threats against and intimidation of media houses and journalists.” – Volker Turk
Reactions from Regional Leaders
Thus far, the coup has received both national and regional condemnation, including from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria. Senegal’s Prime Minister condemned the coup, calling the takeover a “charade.” Retired General The Hon. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan made grave accusations against Embalo. He charged him with carrying out a “ceremonial coup” to remain in power. Jonathan stated,
“A military doesn’t take over governments and allow the sitting president that they overthrew to address press conferences and announce that he has been arrested.”
The international community has called on authorities to respect basic freedoms in Guinea-Bissau. Turk made it clear that the military authorities must uphold the right to peaceful assembly and ensure that the political landscape is not marred by repression.
The New Government’s Direction
General Horta Inta-A and Prime Minister Ilidio Vieira Te are taking office with an explicit agenda. Because make no mistake—their first steps will be pivotal in determining our nation’s course. The new government is facing extreme pressures to prove that it has any legitimacy. Moreover, it needs to address complaints arising from the coup, internally and externally.
Through all this political turmoil, Gambians like Boubacar Embalo have spoken out in favor of economic security. He remarked,
“I resumed my work because if I stay home, I will have nothing to eat.”
Much is still in flux as Guinea-Bissau tries to settle into a relatively stable situation within a backdrop rife with instability and political contention.
