Gunfire and Clashes in Guinea-Bissau: Minister Freed, Army Claims Control

Heavy gunfire erupted near Guinea-Bissau's presidential palace as soldiers freed a finance minister from the main opposition party who had been detained for suspected misuse of public funds. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, but gunshots were heard throughout the night and into the morning. The whereabouts of the freed minister and treasury secretary are currently unknown. Guinea-Bissau has a history of coups, with at least 10 attempted or successful coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.