Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau say they have seized power

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appeared on state television saying they have seized power in the country, following reports of gunshots near the presidential palace Wednesday, three days after national elections were held.

- BY ASSANA SAMBU AND MARK BANCHEREAU

PEOPLE walk on the street in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, Wednesday.

(DARCICIO BARBOSA Associated Press)

"The High Military Command for the reestablish-ment of national and public order decides to immediately depose the President of the Republic, to suspend, until new orders, all of the institutions of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau," said Dinis N'Tchama, spokesperson for the country's military high command, in a statement.

He said it was in reaction to "the discovery of an ongoing plan" aiming to destabilize the country by attempting to "manipulate electoral results."

The "scheme was set up by some national politicians with the participation of a well-known drug lord, and domestic and foreign nationals," N'Tchama said.