BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — Guinea-Bissau soldiers appeared on state television Wednesday and said they had seized power in the country after reports of gunshots near the presidential palace.
In a statement on state television, the military's top commander said it had “just assumed the full powers of the state of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.”
He was responding to “the discovery of an ongoing plan to destabilize our country,” said Dinis N'Chama, a spokesman for the country's top military command.
THIS IS BREAKING NEWS. AP's earlier story appears below.
BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) —
Shots were heard outside the presidential palace in Guinea-Bissau's capital three days after national elections.
An Associated Press journalist saw roads leading to the palace blocked and heavily armed, masked soldiers manning checkpoints.
Presidential and legislative elections took place on Sunday. Outgoing President Umaro Sissoko Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Diaz da Costa declared victory on Tuesday, although official preliminary results are not expected until Thursday.
The West African country has suffered four coups and numerous attempted coups since independence, including one reported last month.
