Heavy gunfire heard near presidential palace in Guinea-Bissau

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Heavy gunfire heard near presidential palace in Guinea-Bissau

7:03 CAT | 01 Feb 2022

Photo: Lusa

Heavy gunfire has been heard in the capital of Guinea-Bissau near the seat of the government, according to media reports.

Heavily-armed men surrounded the Palace of Government on Tuesday, where President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam were believed to have gone to attend a cabinet meeting.

The presidential palace is located on the edge of the capital close to the airport.

People were seen fleeing the area, the local markets were closed and banks shut their doors, while military vehicles laden with troops drove through the streets, according to AFP news agency.

Bissau around the presidential palace https://t.co/AefhQPKQ23 pic.twitter.com/i8BD6vdbof

— Nicolas Haque (@nicolashaque) February 1, 2022

Meanwhile, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS condemned what it described as an attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau, which has a history of political instability.

Three countries in West Africa – Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso – have experienced military takeovers in less than 18 months.

The region’s mounting instability is due to be discussed on Thursday at a summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Presidential Palace in Guinea-Bissau under attach by plain clothes armed men. Ooh #Africa pic.twitter.com/A01cXkZKvg

— Umujamaa (@Umujamaaa) February 1, 2022