Guinea-Bissau president: ‘Attack on democracy’ thwarted

By VAGNER BARBOSA
Associated Press

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — The president of Guinea-Bissau says calm has returned to the capital of the West African country after prolonged gunfire around the government palace.. The state broadcaster had reported that the shooting Tuesday damaged the government building and that “invaders” were holding officials. President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, later addressed reporters and called it an “attack on democracy.” He was declared the winner of the 2019 election, though the results were contested by his opponent. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced four coup d’etats and more than a dozen attempted coups.