Guinea-Bissau's leader, General Horta N'Tam, has been promoted to the rank of major general -- the highest in the country's armed forces, according to a decree he signed and published on Thursday.

The army seized power last November, just days after the country's presidential elections, overthrowing former president Umaro Sissoco Embalo and suspending the electoral process.

The military said it was taking control for one year and appointed N'Tam -- a close Embalo associate -- as transitional president.

It has set December 6, 2026, as the date for new presidential and legislative elections meant to return power to civilians.

Four-star general

N'Tam had previously held the rank of brigadier general. Under Thursday's decree, he has been "elevated to the rank of major general", now carrying four stars instead of two.

The military claimed it seized power in November to prevent bloodshed between supporters of rival candidates in the elections.

Both former President Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had declared victory even as the country still awaited official results.

Before November, the coastal west African country had already undergone four military takeovers and a host of attempted insurrections since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.