After a military coup, what is next for Guinea-Bissau?
The Take
Al Jazeera
4.7 • 748 Ratings
🗓️ 2 December 2025
⏱️ 22 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Right before results of a highly-contested election were due to be announced, Guinea-Bissau’s government fell to a military coup that leaders in West Africa are calling a sham. In a nation where most people rely on growing cashews for a living, cocaine trafficking casts a long shadow. Guinea-Bissau is often referred to as “Africa’s first narco-state.” What does the future hold now?
In this episode:
- Shola Lawal, (@Shollytupe) Journalist
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Melanie Marich, with Diana Ferrero, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, Tamara Khandaker, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Kylene Kiang.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. This episode was mixed by Rick Rush. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Al Jazeera Podcasts. |
| 0:09.7 | Today, election interrupted. |
| 0:14.8 | A dramatic coup in Guinea-Bissau stuns west and central Africa. |
| 0:20.5 | Surrounded by the country's top brass, General Orta Enta, adjusting to his new role. |
| 0:26.4 | Who's behind the military takeover of this drug trafficking hub between Latin America and Europe? |
| 0:34.1 | I'm Kevin Horton, and this is the take. |
| 0:52.4 | Hi, before we continue with today's show, remember to leave us a comment telling us what you think about this episode and what stories you want us to do next. |
| 0:54.5 | Or if you're on your podcast app, |
| 0:57.5 | please leave us a review telling us where you're listening from, |
| 1:00.9 | and you might as well give us a five-star rating while you're there. |
| 1:02.4 | It really does help the show. |
| 1:14.4 | My name is Shalalawal. I'm a freelance journalist working mostly with Al Jazeera and covering events across Africa and especially West Africa. |
| 1:29.2 | Okay. So Shola, let's start with the top line. Last Wednesday, November 26th, the people of Guinea-Bissau, they're all set to receive the results of their presidential election when bam, suddenly the military steps in and takes power. |
| 1:31.6 | So take us through this dramatic scene. |
| 1:34.2 | Why was this election upended like it was? |
| 1:35.0 | Right. |
| 1:41.8 | Like you said, people were waiting for the results of the election just a few days before to be announced in a few hours. And suddenly, you know, there's reports of gunshots in Bissau, the capital city. |
| 1:51.0 | People running helter and skilter from the videos that we saw online, trying to get to safety. |
| 1:57.0 | We understand that the roads leading to the presidential palace were locked down. |
| 2:01.5 | They were heavily armed men parading the area, of course, military men. |
| 2:06.2 | And then we see on national TV that the military has stepped in. |
| 2:11.1 | They're sitting down in that characteristic way that happens in West Africa. |
... |
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