Soldiers have taken control of much of the capital of the Guinea-Bissau in what appears to be a coup attempt.
Heavy gunfire was been heard in the city of Bissau and the residence of outgoing President Carlos Gomes was reportedly attacked.
Troops have also taken control of the national radio station and the ruling party's headquarters.
West African regional organisation Ecowas condemned what it described as an attempted coup.
Mr Gomes came first in an inconclusive presidential election last month, but failed to win outright. His whereabouts and those of the interim President, Raimundo Pereira, are currently unknown, reports say.
The second-placed candidate in the March election, former President Kumba Yala, has said he will boycott the run-off vote scheduled for 29 April.
Mr Yala alleged that the election had been fraudulent.
The emergency vote was called after the death in January of President Malam Bacai Sanha, after a long illness.
Guinea-Bissau, an impoverished former Portuguese colony, has been plagued by a long series of coups since gaining independence in 1974.
It has recently become an important staging post for gangs smuggling drugs from Latin America to Europe.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Shippers’ Authority blocks arbitrary fee hikes with new regulatory powers
4 hours -
Cedi to remain broadly stable in coming months; gained 30% against dollar since January 1
4 hours -
Mahama declares galamsey a national emergency, orders arrest of rogue taskforces
4 hours -
Ghana champions youth skills with national dialogue and launch of TVET Week 2025
4 hours -
Ghana’s inflation to remain on a downward trajectory in second-half 2025 – Fitch Solutions
4 hours -
‘Deal with galamsey, the situation is urgent’ – National House of Chiefs president to Mahama
4 hours -
Mahama pledges 70% world market cocoa price to farmers
6 hours -
EOCO teams up with Nigerian agency to rescue trafficking victims
6 hours -
State funeral to be held for Joseph Kobina Ade Coker on August 1
6 hours -
Mahama orders arrest of fake anti-galamsey taskforce extorting miners
7 hours -
Joseph Kobina Ade Shino Coker
7 hours -
Royal Sweet Limited signs up for JoySports Invitational Tournament 2025
7 hours -
Ghanaian movie industry wasting talent – Gloria Sarfo
7 hours -
Ho West MP secures 100 international scholarships for constituents
8 hours -
Bank of America’s Bernard Mensah discusses AI, jobs and global economic pressures
8 hours