The military in Guinea-Bissau says it has foiled an attempt to overthrow the government and arrested several senior officers, just one day before the start of election campaigning.
Deputy Chief of Staff General Mamadu Ture said on Friday that the plot was an “attempt to subvert the constitutional order” and aimed to disrupt the upcoming elections.
According to AFP news, Ture told reporters that a number of high-ranking officers had been detained, though he did not specify how many or provide details of their alleged plans.
“This action aimed to disrupt the electoral process,” General Ture said during a press briefing in Bissau.
Campaigning for both the presidential and legislative elections is due to begin on Saturday, with the polls scheduled in about three weeks. The elections are expected to be dominated by incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, after the main opposition party was disqualified from participating.
President Embalo, speaking after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, said his government would not tolerate any form of instability.
“No disorder will be tolerated. The government has taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of each candidate during this campaign,” he told reporters.
Among those arrested is Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, who heads a military training centre around 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the capital, Bissau. He is accused of being one of the masterminds of the alleged plot, according to the military.
Guinea-Bissau, a small West African nation, has experienced numerous coups and attempted takeovers since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.
However, since the 2014 presidential election, the country has made efforts to strengthen democratic governance and the rule of law.