Guinea-Bissau’s Transitional Leader Elevated to Four-Star General

Guinea-Bissau’s transitional president, General Horta N’Tam, has been promoted to the rank of major general, the highest military rank in the country’s armed forces.

The promotion was confirmed in a decree signed by N’Tam and published on Thursday. Under the decree, the transitional leader was elevated from brigadier general to major general, increasing his rank insignia from two stars to four.

Guinea-Bissau has been under military rule since November last year, when the armed forces seized power shortly after the country’s presidential elections. The military takeover led to the removal of former president Umaro Sissoco Embaló and the suspension of the electoral process.

Following the coup, the military announced it would govern for a transitional period of one year and appointed N’Tam, described as a close associate of Embaló, as transitional president.

The military authorities have set December 6, 2026, as the date for presidential and legislative elections aimed at restoring civilian rule.

Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced several military interventions in governance, alongside periods of civilian rule.