Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has described the military coup in Guinea-Bissau as a “hoax” intended to halt the electoral process just as results were about to be announced.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Sonko called for the continuation of the electoral process and the release of all detainees, with particular reference to Domingos Simões Pereira, who was not a candidate in the election.
In fast-moving developments, the military has installed the army’s land forces commander, General Horta N’Ta, as transitional president, while Elidio Vera Té has been appointed prime minister.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Fernando Dias declared himself the winner of the presidential election, accusing the ousted president of orchestrating the coup to prevent him from taking power.
This marks the fifth coup in Guinea-Bissau’s history since its independence from Portugal in 1974.
