A coup attempt in the West African state of Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, February 1, has left many members of the security forces dead. Umaro Cissoko Embaló president said the situation was under control, calling it a "failed attack against democracy". Armed men surrounded the government palace, and gunfire erupted where President Embalo and Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam, were believed to have gone to attend a cabinet meeting.

Appearing in a video posted on the presidency’s Facebook page hours after gunfire was heard, Embalo said some of the people involved had been arrested but he did not know how many. But Embalo said the failed putsch was linked to decisions taken by him notably to fight drug trafficking and corruption. 

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. If confirmed, this would be the second coup in West Africa in as many weeks after the military seized power in Burkina Faso last week.