Guinea-Bissau's transitional government, which took power last month, has said that its leading general, Horta N'Tam, will not be allowed to run for president after handing power back to civilians.

After ousting President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on November 26 in the wake of the presidential vote, the army suspended the electoral process and announced it was taking control of the West African country for a period of one year.

In a "charter of the transition" published by the presidency late on Monday, which is intended to provide a legal framework for the period under military rule, both N'Tam and the transitional prime minister "are not eligible to stand as candidates in the presidential and legislative elections at the end of the transition period."

Under the framework, neither will also be able to head a political party.

Amnesty

The charter does, however, provide for the adoption of a law offering amnesty to those who committed "acts of subversion of the constitutional order on November 26, 2025."

It is set to be approved at a later date by a legislative body appointed by the transitional government.

Deposed President Embalo flew to the Republic of Congo for exile.