After 2022 Coup Attempt and Rising Coups in Africa, Guinea-Bissau President Strengthens Security

In the wake of the 2022 coup attempt and a surge in coup incidents across Africa, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has taken significant steps to enhance his personal security. According to VANGUARD newspaper, he recently appointed two new officials to crucial security roles, marking a critical move amidst coup developments in Niger and Gabon.

Notably, other African nations have also responded to the rising tide of coups. Rwanda, for instance, retired 12 Generals and underwent a substantial military reshuffle under President Paul Biya in Cameroon. In Nigeria, Major General Mohammed Usman reaffirmed loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the established authority.

In his efforts to fortify his security apparatus, President Embalo appointed General Tomas Djassi as the head of presidential security and General Horta Inta as the president’s chief of staff. These positions had remained vacant for decades and were officially filled in a ceremony at the presidential palace.

Given Guinea-Bissau’s history of military coups, including the most recent one in 2012, President Embalo acknowledged the concerning trend of coups originating from within the presidential security apparatus. He pledged to take appropriate measures to counter any suspicious activities.

General Tomas Djassi, with his experience leading the national guard, played a pivotal role in thwarting the 2022 coup attempt. Meanwhile, General Horta Inta, who previously served as the head of the central police station in Bissau, brings a wealth of security expertise to his new role.

In a related context, President Embalo expressed his concerns about the coup in Niger, emphasizing the legitimacy of Mohamed Bazoum as the country’s leader and highlighting the threat it posed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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