Army General Sworn In As New Guinea-Bissau Transitional Leader

An army general has been sworn in as Guinea-Bissau’s new head of state, serving as the transitional president for a one-year term.

Gen. Horta N’Tam took the oath on Thursday in brief and quiet proceedings at army headquarters, a day after the army coup that toppled President Umaro Embalo and the country’s democratic structures.

N’Tam, who until a day earlier had been head of the presidential guard, barely cracked a smile during his swearing-in or while standing outside flanked by officers while facing cameras.

Outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has been accused of masterminding a “simulated coup” against himself with the help of the military, as critics said it was a subterfuge to block election results from coming out in case he lost.

“This manoeuvre aims to prevent the publication of the electoral results scheduled for tomorrow, November 27,” the civil society coalition Popular Front said in a statement on Wednesday.

His closest election rival, Fernando Dias, has also echoed these claims. However, Embaló has not responded to the allegations.