Guinea-Bissau Junta Leader Horta N’Tam Makes First Foreign Trip to Chad

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Guinea-Bissau transitional leader General Horta N’Tam travelled to Chad on August 10, marking his first foreign trip since becoming the country’s military leader.

The visit comes more than eight months after the military takeover that removed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and suspended the country’s electoral process. N’Tam’s government has faced diplomatic isolation as regional organisations push for a return to constitutional rule.

The trip to Chad is being closely watched as Guinea-Bissau seeks to strengthen relations with other governments in the region and increase diplomatic engagement during its political transition.

The military government has scheduled a constitutional referendum for August 30, while presidential and parliamentary elections are planned for December 6. The referendum proposal would move Guinea-Bissau from its current parliamentary system toward a presidential system with greater powers for the head of state.

The Chad visit could therefore become an important moment for Guinea-Bissau’s transition, particularly as the country faces continued regional scrutiny over its political future.