Gunfire heard near Guinea-Bissau presidential palace as 2 candidates claim election victory: Report

By Mevlut Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Gunfire rang out near Guinea-Bissau’s presidential palace on Wednesday as tensions rose in the wake of the presidential vote, with two candidates separately declaring themselves the winner, according to the French media.

The report was also confirmed by the local media.

“At this exact moment, you can hear gunshots in Bissau, precisely in the square,” Radio TV Bantaba said.

No further details were shared as of 1340GMT.

Both Fernando Dias, an independent candidate, and incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s camp claimed victory Monday in Guinea-Bissau’s presidential elections held over the weekend as the country awaits the results.

The country’s electoral commission earlier promised to announce the final outcome of the election by Thursday.

It warned voters, candidates, political parties, electoral coalitions and the media against announcing any results.

Ghana’s Ambassador Baba Kamara, who is also the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission to Guinea-Bissau for the general elections held on Nov. 23, said the electoral process went well.

Twelve candidates were in the race for president.

Since taking office in 2020, there have been several reports of coup attempts against Embalo, a demonstration of the deep-rooted rivalry he faced.