BISSAU – In a dramatic turn of events, soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have announced the appointment of a new junta leader, solidifying their grip on power following the recent presidential election. This decisive move comes amid political turmoil and uncertainty.

The military’s high command has placed Gen. Horta Inta-A at the helm of the new military government. His leadership marks the start of a one-year transition period, as declared on the nation’s state television. Inta-A, previously the army’s chief of staff, has been a staunch ally of the ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

Gen. Inta-A justified the military’s intervention by pointing to the failure of political figures to halt the worsening political climate. “The inability of political actors to stem the deterioration of the political climate ultimately prompted the intervention of the armed forces,” he remarked, underscoring the fractious state of the nation’s politics.

As the situation unfolded, the whereabouts of former President Embaló remained shrouded in mystery. Reports surfaced of his arrest by military forces amidst the sound of gunfire near the presidential palace. Embaló had informed French media the previous day about his detention, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding crisis.

Complicating matters further, the opposition has accused Embaló of orchestrating the coup as a ploy to avoid facing an electoral defeat in the fiercely contested presidential vote held on Sunday. This claim has exacerbated the already tense political atmosphere, leaving the nation in a state of uncertainty.

The military takeover and the reported arrest of Embaló was “fabricated” to disrupt election results expected Thursday, according to his rival Fernando Dias, who, like Embalo, claimed to have won the vote.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims by Dias, a member of the Social Renewal Party.

The opposition African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde and Dias had called on residents to stage protests against the coup and demand publication of the election results. But on Thursday morning, activities appeared to be normal in the capital Bissau, with businesses and public transport gradually picking up.

The latest in a string of coups

Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest countries, has been dogged by coups and attempted coups since its independence from Portugal more than 50 years ago, including a coup attempt in October. The country of 2.2 million people is known as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, a trend that experts say has fueled its political crises.

The reported coup is the latest in a surge of military takeovers in West Africa, where democracy recently has been challenged by disputed elections that analysts say could embolden militaries.

Gunshots rang out in the main city of Bissau on Wednesday just days after the tense presidential election, which Embalo and Dias both claimed to have won.

In a scene that has become familiar in the region, military officers appeared on state television and claimed they had seized power. Embaló, who was seeking a rare second term, then told French media he had been arrested while the election commission’s office was sealed.

Dias, 47, said in his video that he escaped custody “through a backdoor” after reports he was arrested by soldiers. He vowed to fight back.

“Umaro lost the elections, and instead of accepting the result, he fabricated a coup d’état,” Dias said. “Once again, we, we have been the target of false coup d’état. … We will liberate ourselves.”

This week’s elections were held at a critical time for the African country as Embaló, a 53-year-old former army general, faced a legitimacy crisis. The opposition said his tenure had long expired and refused to recognize him as president.

The military officers who announced they had deposed the president cited the “discovery of an ongoing plan … to manipulate electoral results,” according to a spokesperson, Dinis N’Tchama, who was flanked by others during the televised statement.

The “scheme was set up by some national politicians with the participation of a well-known drug lord, and domestic and foreign nationals,” N’Tchama said.

Several international bodies and countries have condemned the reported coup and the United Nations said it was following the situation “with deep concern.”

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Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria.