Guinea-Bissau leader Horta N’Tam travels to Chad for first foreign visit

Guinea-Bissau’s transitional leader, General Horta N’Tam, has traveled to N’Djamena, Chad, for his first official foreign trip since taking power following a military coup in November 2025. N’Tam is traveling at the invitation of Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby to attend military parades celebrating Chad’s 66th independence anniversary.

The visit comes at a critical time for Guinea-Bissau, which has faced diplomatic isolation after the military ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. The coup led to the suspension of Guinea-Bissau from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union. Observers suggest the trip may serve to bolster N’Tam’s regional legitimacy as the country approaches key transition milestones.

Under the current transitional charter, a constitutional referendum is scheduled for August 30, with presidential and legislative elections planned for December 6 to restore civilian rule. While N’Tam was a close associate of the former president, the transitional rules currently bar him from running in the upcoming elections. Recent diplomatic efforts, including mediation by Senegal, aim to stabilize the political process and return the nation to constitutional order.