Guinea-Bissau's president says coup attempt has failed, government is in control
Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embaló said an attempted military coup to overthrow him had failed on Tuesday, and called for calm across the country during a national address broadcast on Radio TV Bantaba.
"I have never imagined that we would arrive to this type of situation," Embaló said. "I never thought that Bissau-Guineans could practice another act of violence."
Defense forces engaged in crossfire with the alleged perpetrators for five hours before averting the coup, Embaló said.
He added that "many" members of security forces were killed in the failed attempt, but did not confirm the number of casualties. Several arrests have also been made, the president said.
Embaló also said that he believes the perpetrators of the coup intended to kill him and members of his cabinet, who were gathered for a weekly meeting in the palace. He added that drug traffickers and corrupt agents were also involved in the "very well planned" coup attempt.
"Power is something you get from the people -- through ballots," Embaló said, adding: "Guinea-Bissau is mourning today."
Earlier in the day, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for peace in Guinea-Bissau, as gunfire was heard around the government palace in the capital Bissau.
The unrest in Guinea-Bissau came after a military coup rocked Burkina Faso on January 24.
CNN
