• Guinea-Bissau's military has installed General Horta N'Tam as interim leader following a coup.
• President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was arrested as electoral tensions escalated.
• The coup raises questions about the legitimacy of the government's actions and the future of democratic processes in Guinea-Bissau.
• Opposition leaders have accused Embaló of fabricating the coup to avoid defeat in the elections.
• The situation has drawn international criticism, notably from the African Union and ECOWAS.

In a sudden power shift, the military in Guinea-Bissau has appointed General Horta N'Tam as the head of a transitional government, following a coup that occurred just as the nation awaited the results of a tightly contested presidential election. This coup comes amid allegations of attempts to manipulate electoral outcomes and political instability in the country, which is known for its history of military interventions since gaining independence in 1974, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

The military's actions came swiftly on the heels of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló's reported arrest as results from the controversial elections were set to be announced. Embaló, who in recent weeks faced challenges to his authority and legitimacy from both within the military and his political opponents, declared he had been deposed during a phone call with the media, according to reports by Africa News and Los Angeles Times.

Amid heavy military presence and declared curfews, the new military leadership announced the initiation of a one-year transition period, citing a need to stabilize the country in the face of threats from drug trafficking networks and political corruption, as reported by Africa News and South China Morning Post.

However, opposition leaders have challenged the military's narrative, with candidate Fernando Dias accusing Embaló of orchestrating a "fake coup" to maintain power amid fears of an electoral defeat. Dias, who claims to have evidence confirming his victory in the presidential elections, issued statements calling for protests against the military takeover, as cited by Africa News and Le Monde.

Internationally, the coup has received widespread condemnation. The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have called for the release of detained officials and a return to democratic governance. The chairperson of the African Union Commission stressed the need for immediate respect for constitutional processes, illustrating the growing concern about political stability in the region, as reported by Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times.

The unfolding events in Guinea-Bissau highlight the fragile political landscape marked by profound uncertainties. Analysts suggest that the military's takeover reflects long-standing issues with political legitimacy and the challenges faced by the region's democracies, according to Africa News and South China Morning Post.