Guinea-Bissau's Military Junta Names New Prime Minister as International Pressure Mounts

Guinea-Bissau's newly installed military leader, General Horta Inta-A, moved to consolidate control on Friday by appointing Finance Minister Ilidio Vieira Te as prime minister, days after troops ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo following a disputed presidential vote.

In a short swearing-in ceremony, General Horta Inta-A praised the public's expectations and called for close cooperation between the military administration and the new prime minister. Both Inta-A — sworn in as transitional president on Thursday — and Ilidio Vieira Te are widely regarded as allies of the deposed president.

The appointment follows a televised announcement by military officers earlier this week declaring they had taken "total control" of the country on the eve of the anticipated release of provisional election results. Embalo had been seeking re-election against his main challenger, Fernando Dias; both candidates declared victory before official results were published, and provisional totals remain unreleased.

Regional and international response

Regional and global bodies condemned the takeover. The African Union announced an immediate suspension of Guinea-Bissau, while ECOWAS said it had frozen the country's participation in all decision-making bodies. The United Nations and the European Union both called for a swift return to constitutional order and for the resumption of the electoral process.

Senegal's prime minister denounced the coup and urged that the electoral commission be allowed to announce the official winner. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who was in the country leading an election observation mission at the time, also questioned the circumstances, saying the events suggested an unconventional seizure of power.

Human rights and daily life

UN human rights chief Volker Türk reported that at least 18 people — including government officials, magistrates and opposition politicians — were arbitrarily detained during the takeover, with many reportedly held incommunicado. He called for their immediate release and urged the military authorities to respect fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and press freedom.

Despite the political turmoil, calm returned to the capital, Bissau, on Friday after the overnight curfew was lifted. Army checkpoints were removed, and people and vehicles began circulating in the streets. The main stock exchange, local markets and commercial banks reopened, with many residents returning to work amid economic pressure.

"I resumed my work because if I stay home, I will have nothing to eat," said a 25-year-old street vendor, illustrating the everyday hardships faced by ordinary citizens during the crisis.

The situation remains fluid. International actors continue to press for the restoration of democratic processes while domestic tensions and questions about the legitimacy of the new authorities persist.