António Indjai (born c. 1960) is one of the most notorious and resilient figures in Guinea-Bissau’s history. A former Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces (2010–2014) and the architect of the 2012 “cocaine coup,” he is an internationally wanted man. Despite a $5 million U.S. bounty on his head, he has remained a free and influential “kingmaker” in Bissau, acting as a shadow advisor to the Embaló administration until the November 2025 coup.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | António Indjai |
| Born | c. 1960, Encheia, Guinea-Bissau |
| Former Office | Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces (2010–2014) |
| Legal Status | Wanted by the U.S. DEA; subject to a $5 million reward (since 2021). |
| Sanctions | Under UN Security Council travel bans and asset freezes since 2012. |
| Current Status | In Hiding (As of December 2025 following the deposal of Embaló). |
The “Narco-State” Architect
Indjai is widely credited with cementing Guinea-Bissau’s reputation as Africa’s first “narco-state.”
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The 2012 Coup: He led the military takeover that interrupted the 2012 presidential elections. The U.S. and UN allege this coup was specifically designed to protect the cocaine trafficking routes running through the Bijagós Islands.
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FARC Conspiracy: In 2013, he was indicted by a U.S. federal court for conspiring to sell surface-to-air missiles to the FARC (Colombian rebels) in exchange for cocaine, intending for the weapons to be used against American forces.
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The $5 Million Bounty: In August 2021, the U.S. State Department offered up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló famously rejected the bounty, stating, “If the US does not extradite its citizens, Guinea-Bissau will not either.”
Role in 2025: From Kingmaker to Fugitive
As of Christmas Day 2025, Indjai’s “golden era” of protection has come to a sudden end.
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Shadow Advisor: Throughout 2024 and early 2025, Indjai remained a visible, if unofficial, ally of the Embaló regime. He was often seen at the President’s side during sensitive military gatherings, acting as a guarantor of loyalty within the senior officer corps.
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The November 26 Coup: The High Military Command that seized power in late 2025 explicitly cited the influence of “narco-traffickers” and a “well-known drug lord” (widely understood to be Indjai) as the justification for the coup. The junta claimed the military intervened to prevent Indjai and Embaló from manipulating the November 23 election results.
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Disappearance: Since the night of the coup, Indjai has not been seen in public. While the junta has arrested “Old Guard” generals like Biagué Na N’Tan, reports suggest Indjai managed to slip away to a rural stronghold in the Oio region or across the border.
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International Renewed Interest: With his protector (Embaló) in exile, the U.S. DEA has reportedly re-engaged with regional authorities in December 2025 to see if the new transitional government is more willing to cooperate on his extradition.
Professional Profile
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The Ultimate Survivor: Indjai has survived nearly two decades of coups, counter-coups, and international indictments. He is viewed by many in the military as a “hero” of the independence struggle, which has historically provided him a shield of institutional loyalty.
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Economic Influence: He is believed to control vast agricultural and commercial interests in Guinea-Bissau, allegedly built on the proceeds of the transit trade, making him as much a financial power as a military one.