Coup leaders confirm polls for 6 December

Military authorities in coup-prone Guinea-Bissau have scheduled presidential and legislative elections for 6 December, despite calls for a swifter transition to civilian rule.

Transitional President Horta N’Tam signed a decree on Wednesday after meeting members of the National Transitional Council, military, and government officials, as well as representatives of the electoral commission.

He told reporters the conditions for free and fair elections had been met.

Since seizing power from President Umaro Sissoco Embaló in November, Guinea-Bissau’s coup leaders have been under pressure from the West African regional body, Ecowas, to organise elections within a short transitional timeframe.

The regional bloc had previously rejected the junta’s notion of a one-year timeline, suspended the country from its decision-making bodies, and threatened further sanctions.

It remains unclear how Ecowas will react to the election timetable now that it has been formally announced by the junta.

The November 2025 coup drew widespread criticism, with many challenging the military’s decision to seize power on the eve of the official proclamation of presidential election results.

At the time, both President Embaló and his main challenger Fernando Dias claimed victory. The military said it intervened to thwart a plot to destabilise the politically fragile and unstable West African nation.

But some regional observers, including former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, argued the coup was staged.

Many now wait to discover the identities of those aspiring for the country’s top job. The transitional charter adopted shortly after the coup already bars interim leader N’Tam and his prime minister from running.

But given the trend of coup leaders in West Africa consolidating power and extending their stay in office, observers will no doubt question whether Guinea-Bissau will be any exception.