Several Guinea-Bissau Officers Arrested Over ‘Subversion’ Attempt - Army

Guinea-Bissau Military Arrests Senior Officers Over Alleged Subversion Plot

On October 31, 2025, the army of Guinea-Bissau announced that it had successfully thwarted an alleged attempt to undermine the country's constitutional order.

This revelation came just one day before the official launch of campaigning for the upcoming legislative and presidential elections, scheduled to take place in approximately three weeks. 

The military disclosed that several senior officers had been arrested in connection with the plot, although the exact number and details of their intended actions were not specified.

General Mamadu Ture, the deputy chief of staff, addressed the media during a press conference, stating that the alleged subversive activity was aimed at disrupting the electoral process.

Among those detained was Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, who serves as the director of a military training center located roughly 30 kilometers from the capital, Bissau. He is accused of being one of the masterminds behind the plot.

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who is widely expected to dominate the upcoming elections following the disqualification of the main opposition party, responded firmly to the developments. After a cabinet meeting held on October 30, he declared that “no disorder will be tolerated” and emphasized that the government had taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of every candidate participating in the campaign.

This incident marks another chapter in Guinea-Bissau’s turbulent political history. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, the West African nation has experienced a series of coups and political instability.

However, following the 2014 presidential election, the country had been making strides toward establishing the rule of law and democratic governance.

The recent arrests and the military’s swift response underscore the fragile nature of Guinea-Bissau’s political landscape and the ongoing challenges it faces in maintaining stability during critical democratic processes.