Guinea-Bissau soldiers say they have taken power in a coup after reports of president's arrest

A group of Guinea-Bissau military officers on Wednesday announced that all borders were closed after they seized total control of the country, just three days after presidential and legislative elections in which both leading candidates claimed victory.

Military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced president Umaro Sissoco Embalo was deposed and all state institutions suspended until further notice, citing the need to clarify the situation before returning to constitutional order.

Earlier in the day, Embalo told Jeune Afrique that he was being arrested, explaining that men in uniform had stormed the presidential palace while he was in his office.

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Biague Na Ntan, the Deputy Chief of Staff, General Mamadou Toure, and the Interior Minister, Botche Cande, were arrested at the same time.

He added that no violence had been committed against him during what he described as a "coup", which he claimed was led by the army chief of staff.

Shortly after gunshots were heard in capital city Bissau, government sources told the BBC that Embaló had been detained.

The reports come three days after a presidential election in which the main opposition candidate was disqualified.

The results were expected on Thursday - both Embaló and his closest rival Fernando Dias have claimed victory.

Witnesses in Bissau heard gunfire at around 13:00 GMT on Wednesday but it was not immediately clear who was involved in the shooting or if there were any casualties.

Hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles fled, seeking shelter as the shots rang out, the AFP news agency reported.

Guinea-Bissau, with a population of just under two million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The former Portuguese colony has seen nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.

There have been two attempts to overthrow Embalo, the latest in December 2023.