Security forces exchange gunfire in Guinea-Bissau after soldiers free ministers
Heavy gunfire echoed around Bissau, capital city of Guinea-Bissau, on Friday morning.
The exchange was reportedly between soldiers of the national guard and security forces.
According to O Democrat, the gunfire was heard around 01:20 am specifically around the headquarters of the rapid intervention brigade (BIR).
The shootout was reportedly part of attempts to re-arrest Souleiman Seidi, finance minister, and Antonio Monteiro, secretary of state for the treasury.
Both men had been detained amid investigations into an alleged irregular withdrawal of $10 million of state funds.
O Democrat said the government officials were questioned on Thursday afternoon by an anti-corruption inquiry in a bid to clarify payments to 11 companies.
However, Seidi defended the payments as legal.
After the interrogation, the minister and Monteiro were arrested and detained in order not to jeopardise the probe.
Hours later, national guard soldiers invaded the police cells “with AK-47 weapons and bazookas” and freed the detained officials, O Democrata added.
It said the soldiers took them to an unknown location.
Special forces intervened after attempts to negotiate failed, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. However, calm was reportedly restored later.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is currently in Dubai, where he is attending the United Nation’s COP28 climate conference.
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