Guinea-Bissau’s ruling military council has announced the formation of a new transitional government comprising 28 ministers, only five of whom are military officers, just days after the ousting of outgoing president Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
The new appointments include General Steve Lassana Mansaly as Minister of National Defence, and General Mamasaliu Embaló as Minister of the Interior.
The government also features prominent civilian figures, such as former presidential candidate João Bernardo Vieira, who will head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The announcement comes as the ousted president arrived in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, while some regional mediators question whether the change in power constitutes an actual “coup d’état.”
General Horta N’Tam, commander of the land forces, had earlier been sworn in as transitional president for a one-year term.
