Guinea-Bissau's military rulers formed a government on Saturday days after taking power in a coup, as ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo arrived in the Republic of Congo's capital Brazzaville.

The military took control of the Portuguese-speaking nation on Wednesday – a day before the provisional results of national elections were due to be announced – and Embalo had initially left for neighbouring Senegal.

On Saturday the military rulers tapped 28 people, including five army officers and four women, to lead the West African nation.

Elsewhere in the capital Bissau, Guinea-Bissau's leading opposition party said its headquarters had been "invaded" by "heavily armed" people.

New ruler urges 'fight against corruption'

The true motives for the coup in Guinea-Bissau remain unclear, with speculation in some quarters that it was carried out with Embalo's blessing.

Those suspicions intensified when the military named General Horta N'Tam, considered a close ally of the deposed president, to head a transitional administration set to last a year.

On Saturday, N'Tam urged the new government to "fight against corruption and drug trafficking."

The opposition in Guinea-Bissau has suggested that Embalo, in power since 2020, orchestrated the takeover to halt the electoral process. Embalo is yet to respond to these allegations.

Main presidential candidates had both claimed victory

Guinea-Bissau held elections on November 23, and results were scheduled for announcement on November 27, but a day to the set date, the coup occurred.

Both Embalo and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, had claimed victory in the recent presidential election.