Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau announced on state television Wednesday that they have taken control of the country, dissolving state institutions and halting the ongoing electoral process amid rising political tensions.

In a televised statement, the military high command declared it had “assumed the full powers of the State of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau,” claiming the move was necessary to counter “an ongoing plan” to destabilise the nation by “manipulating electoral results.”

The announcement came just one day after both leading candidates in last week’s fiercely contested presidential election — outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition figure Fernando Dias da Costa — declared victory ahead of the official results.

Earlier Wednesday, gunfire was reported near key sites in the capital, Bissau, including the presidential palace, though it remains unclear who was involved. Journalists also reported roads leading to the palace barricaded and guarded by heavily armed, masked soldiers.

Military spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama said a new ruling body, the “high military command for the restoration of order,” had been formed and would govern indefinitely. He announced sweeping measures, including the suspension of all republican institutions, the shutdown of all media outlets, the immediate halt of the electoral process, and the closure of land, sea, and air borders.

A member of the international election observer mission said the head of the election commission was arrested and the commission’s office sealed by soldiers. Provisional results had been scheduled for release on Thursday.

Embaló has faced a legitimacy crisis in recent months, with opponents arguing his mandate expired and refusing to recognise him as president. He was elected in February 2020, but the constitution limits presidential terms to five years.

The takeover marks the latest in a long line of coups and attempted coups in Guinea-Bissau, which has struggled with chronic political instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.