West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Thursday condemned a military takeover in Guinea-Bissau. The bloc called for the release of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and other arrested officials.

ECOWAS chair Julius Maada Bio "unequivocally condemns the coup d'etat," calling it a "grave violation of Guinea-Bissau's constitutional order" and warning it threatened regional stability, the bloc said in a statement.

Soldiers locked down the main road leading to Guinea-Bissau's presidential palace and election commission and Interior Ministry on Wednesday, after prolonged sounds of gunfire in the area.

Soon after, a group of army officers held a press conference saying that they had seized power and deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in the aftermath of the first round of general elections on Sunday. 

The officers said that they had formed "The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order" and that they would remain in charge until further notice.

General Denis N'Canha, head of the presidential military office, urged members of the public to "remain calm." He said the military command seizing power was "composed of all branches of the armed forces."

Borders and air space closed, curfew imposed

President Embalo later spoke to the France24 broadcaster, saying "I have been deposed." The AFP news agency cited military sources as saying the incumbent head of state was being "well-treated." 

The army officers said they had suspended the electoral process, claiming it was necessary to clarify the situation before returning to constitutional order. 

They also said they had temporarily closed the country's borders and air space, and imposed a curfew.  

Troops from the presidential guard and an elite gendarmerie unit manned checkpoints hastily set up in the capital Bissau, with the sounds of shooting reportedly calming by early afternoon. 

Results pending after Sunday's vote

The impoverished West African country was awaiting the results of an election where both the incumbent and the main challenger have already claimed victory. 

Official results from Sunday's election, which had been largely peaceful, were scheduled for publication on Thursday. 

But on Tuesday, incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa both claimed victory. This comes despite the country having a two-round electoral system, with a runoff vote probably the most likely scenario if none of the multiple candidates can win more than 50% of the vote. 

Since independence in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has seen four successful coups and numerous attempted ones. Several senior military officers were arrested in late October, accused of plotting a coup by the government.  

The former Portuguese colony abruptly expelled journalists from major Portuguese-language news outlets like the LUSA news agency in August this year in the run-up to the vote.

Edited by Jenipher Camino Gonzalez