Guinea-Bissau
On January 21, 2026, Guinea-Bissau's military junta announced that presidential and legislative elections will be held on December 6, 2026. General Horta Inta-a, the leader of the military government, stated that conditions necessary for conducting free, fair, and transparent elections have been met. This announcement follows the November 2025 coup that ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The country has faced chronic political instability since gaining independence over 50 years ago, with multiple coups and a reputation as a transit point for drug trafficking. The current military leadership has outlined a one-year transition period leading up to the elections. This development aligns with a broader regional trend in West Africa, where several countries have experienced military takeovers in recent years, often justified by promises to resolve security challenges and improve governance.
