Tension has continued to rise in Guinea-Bissau after the country’s electoral commission announced that the results of the recent national election were destroyed during the coup attempt that shook the country. The incident has thrown the nation into confusion, as no winner can be declared until the results are recovered or a new decision is made.
The announcement has sparked reactions across West Africa, with several prominent African leaders calling on the authorities to ensure transparency and reveal the true outcome of the election. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who had been involved in regional mediation efforts, described the coup as “ceremonial” and urged the release of the election results.
According to the Guinea-Bissau electoral commission, documents containing the final tallies were destroyed when military officers attempted to take control of key government buildings. The commission said it currently has no complete records to determine who won the election.
Officials explained that the attack disrupted their operations and forced staff to evacuate, leaving behind sensitive materials. Although some partial results exist, they told the public that the full, certified results were lost.
This announcement has created uncertainty in the country, which has a long history of political instability, including multiple coups, attempted coups, and sudden changes of government since independence from Portugal in 1974.
The opposition parties in Guinea-Bissau have rejected the explanation, insisting that they won the election. They accused former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of staging the coup attempt to prevent the electoral commission from announcing his defeat.
Opposition leaders say they have their own copies of results from polling stations and claim these show a clear victory for their candidates. They are calling for regional and international intervention to “protect democracy” in the country.
The political crisis has deepened divisions among political groups, raising fears that instability could worsen if the issue is not resolved quickly.
The situation has attracted attention from across the continent. Goodluck Jonathan—who has often led peace and democratic missions in West Africa—was among the first to call for calm and transparency. He urged the electoral body to do everything possible to recover the results or provide an alternative path that does not undermine democracy.
Other African leaders have also appealed for stability, warning that Guinea-Bissau cannot afford another prolonged crisis. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has not yet made a final pronouncement, but the bloc is closely monitoring events.
Guinea-Bissau has been a recurring concern for ECOWAS due to its history of political violence, especially involving the military. The organisation has deployed troops there in the past to restore order.
With no confirmed winner and both sides claiming legitimacy, Guinea-Bissau now faces a difficult political future. The electoral commission has not given a clear timeline for its next steps, and it remains unclear whether new elections will be required or if missing documents can be reconstructed.
