An in-depth analysis of the crisis in Guinea Bissau: A palace coup d’etat or a staged coup d’etat?

Bun Dawda appeared on AG Radion on Friday night, reacting to the latest developments from Guinea Bissau, where General Horta Inta-A has declared himself the leader of the transitional government. Bun Dawda presented an in-depth analysis of the current situation in Bissau and the way President Umaro Sissoco Embalo was governing the Guinea Bissau.

Bun Dawda asserted that President Umaro Sissoco Embalo was influenced by the drug cartel that aided his rise to power. Guinea Bissau ranks among the poorest nations globally, home to a population exceeding two million people. The coastline features numerous uninhabited islands, rendering it a prime location for drug traffickers. The UN has labelled it a "narco-state," as it serves as a crucial transit point for cocaine transit from Latin America to Europe.

Bun Dawda cautioned Gambians that all dictators operate using the same methods derived from a common playbook of tyranny. Two years ago, Embalo orchestrated a fabricated coup d'état as a justification to prolong the presidential election. During the course of this staged coup, several soldiers lost their lives.

Both former President Macky Sall and the current president of Sierra Leone, Mada Bio, have previously employed similar strategies to maintain their hold on power. Bun Dawda stated, "Now Macky has been rejected and Embalo has been ejected from power; next in line are Mada Bio and Adama Barrow."

Bun Dawda asserted that anyone who believes President Adama Barrow will relinquish power peacefully is deceiving themselves. Barrow will not accept defeat, so the opposing political parties and the general public must prepare strategies in anticipation of a situation similar to that of Guinea-Bissau.

For decades, some of the world’s most dangerous and sophisticated organized crime groups, originating from the Western Balkans and significant players in drug markets throughout Europe and Latin America, have extended their operations from their strongholds at both ends of the cocaine supply chain to West Africa.

Bun Dawda noted similarities among several West African presidents, including Macky Sall, Mada Bio, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, and President Adama Barrow. All of whom are connected, both directly and indirectly to
drug cartels that assist in financing their political campaign rallies for potential re-election.