General Horta Inta-A is named the head of a one-year transitional government after President Embalo was detained.

Military officials in the small West African nation of Guinea-Bissau have announced a new leader one day after seizing power in a military coup.

General Horta Nta Na Man was named as the head of a one-year transitional government at about noon (12:00 GMT) on Thursday. In a statement, he justified the seizure of power and said the army had taken charge in the face of threats to Guinea-Bissau’s stability.

Meanwhile, the African Union and ECOWAS will likely pressure the military to return to democratic rule as soon as possible, Cummings said. Both have, in the past, suspended and sanctioned countries in which coups have taken place, before reinstating them after clear timelines for elections are set.