Guinea-Bissau: President Umaro Sissoco Embalo dissolves parliament after failed coup

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau’s has issued a decree dissolving parliament barely some days after he announced that he had survived an attempted coup.

At least two people died while others were reported injured when heavy gunshots raged late last week Thursday into the early hours of Friday in the capital Bissau between members of the national guard, which is linked to the interior ministry, and the presidential guard.

The president of the small West African country was at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai when the event happened.

Upon his arrival on Saturday, President Embalo said he was prevented from returning to the country earlier because of what he called a failed attempted coup.

On Monday, he dissolved parliament, saying state institutions could no longer function normally because of “complicity” between the national guard and “certain political interests”, AFP reports.

“The date of forthcoming legislative elections will be set at the opportune moment, in line with the constitution,” Mr Embalo is quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the opposition has dismissed the move and described it unconstitutional.

The decision has also triggered protests as dozens of demonstrators rallied outside the parliament.