A group of military officers in Guinea-Bissau has claimed “total control” of the country, a day after two leading candidates in a tightly contested presidential election each declared victory.
Calling themselves the “High Military Command for Restoration of Order”, the officers read out a statement on television on Wednesday, declaring that they had ordered immediate suspension of electoral process “until further notice”.
They also ordered closure of all land, air and sea borders and an overnight curfew.
The move came shortly after sustained gunfire was heard near election commission’s headquarters, presidential palace and Ministry of Interior in the capital, Bissau.
Results of Sunday’s presidential vote – which pitted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo against his primary challenger, Fernando Dias – had been expected to be announced on Thursday.
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