Soldiers patrol on the main road in Bissau (Photo: REUTERS)

In a statement read on state television, the army officers said they had deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, and suspended the electoral process. The power grab came just three days after Guinea-Bissau held presidential and legislative elections.

On Tuesday, incumbent President Embaló and his main rival, opposition leader Fernando Dias da Costa, both declared that they had won the election, even though the official vote count had yet to be announced.

Several international sources have confirmed that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló is being held by the coup-plotting officers, but has not been subjected to violence or physical abuse. The situation of opposition candidate Dias da Costa has not been mentioned.