Soldiers say they have taken power as President Umaro Sissoco Embaló arrested

A group of military officials said they took control of Guinea-Bissau following reports of the arrest of president Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

Shortly after gunshots were heard in the capital Bissau, government sources told the BBC that Embaló was detained.

Later, military officials appeared on state television and said they were suspending the election process and would remain on duty until further notice.

The West African country was awaiting the outcome of Sunday’s presidential election, in which the main opposition candidate was barred from running.

Results were expected on Thursday; both Embaló and his closest rival Fernando Dias claimed victory.

“I have been deposed,” Embaló told France 24 in a telephone interview late Wednesday afternoon.

Witnesses in Bissau had earlier heard gunshots around 13:00 GMT, but it was not immediately clear who was involved in the shooting or whether there were any casualties.

According to the AFP news agency, when gunshots were heard, hundreds of people fled on foot and in vehicles and sought shelter.

Later, General Denis N’Canha, head of the military household at the presidential palace, read a proclamation announcing the takeover.

The officers established the “Supreme Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and closed the border, the official said.

Gen N’Canha instructed the public to “stay calm”.

Besides Embaló, the president’s army staff and some ministers were also reportedly arrested.

Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest countries in the world, has seen nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.

Embaló said he survived multiple coup attempts during his time in office. But his critics claim he is fabricating crises to suppress dissent.

Guinea-Bissau has a population of just under two million and has been called a “narco state” by the UN due to its role as a major transit point for cocaine trafficking from Latin America to Europe.