GUINEA-BISSAU JUNTA LEADER MAKES FIRST FOREIGN TRIP TO CHAD

Guinea-Bissau’s junta leader, General Horta N’Tam, has travelled to Chad on his first foreign trip since taking power more than eight months ago amid diplomatic isolation following last year’s coup.

N’Tam travelled to Chad on Monday to attend celebrations marking the 66th anniversary of Chad’s independence, with observers suggesting that the visit could help strengthen his government’s international legitimacy as Guinea-Bissau prepares for elections.

His flight departed Osvaldo Vieira International Airport at about 9:30 GMT. The Chadian presidency confirmed that N’Tam was invited by President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno to attend the military parades marking the anniversary.

Guinea-Bissau’s military seized power in late November, removing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo a day before provisional results from the presidential election were expected to be announced.

The junta subsequently appointed N’Tam, a close associate of Embalo, as transitional leader.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union condemned the coup and suspended Guinea-Bissau from their activities.

Several countries, including neighbouring Senegal and Guinea, also froze diplomatic relations with the country following the military takeover.

Guinea-Bissau is scheduled to hold presidential and legislative elections on December 6 as part of efforts to restore civilian rule.

The country is also expected to hold a constitutional referendum on August 30, which would determine whether the president should receive additional powers.

However, N’Tam is barred from contesting the upcoming elections under the transitional charter published in December.

A Senegalese delegation appointed by ECOWAS as a mediator recently visited Guinea-Bissau to present a new plan aimed at stabilising the political transition and restoring constitutional order.

Relations between Guinea-Bissau and Chad have improved since Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno visited Bissau in May 2025, during which several bilateral agreements were signed.

Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest countries, has experienced five coups and numerous attempted takeovers since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.