Brigadier General Dinis Incanha (born August 15, 1960) is a Bissau-Guinean military officer who became the face of the November 26, 2025, coup d’état. As the Head of the Military Office of the Presidency, he was a trusted insider who turned against President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, leading the group of officers that seized power and suspended the country’s general elections just hours before results were to be announced.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Dinis Incanha |
| Born | August 15, 1960, Bissau |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Current Role | Spokesperson for the High Military Command; Head of the Military Office |
| Former Office | De facto Leader of Guinea-Bissau (Nov 26 – Nov 27, 2025) |
| Military Service | Revolutionary Armed Forces of the People (FARP) |
| Key Event | Led the 2025 coup; arrested President Embaló on November 26, 2025. |
The 2025 Coup and Rise to Power
Incanha’s role was unique because he served as the Head of the Military Household (Casa Militar) for the very president he overthrew.
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Seizure of Control: On the afternoon of November 26, 2025, amid heavy gunfire near the Presidential Palace, Incanha appeared on state television. He announced that the military had taken “total control” and established the High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order.
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Shortest Reign in History: For approximately 24 hours, Incanha was the de facto leader of Guinea-Bissau. However, on November 27, he presided over the investiture of General Horta Inta-A Na Man as the Transitional President, stepping back into a spokesperson role.
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Justification: Incanha claimed the coup was a preemptive strike against a plot to “destabilize the country” involving a “well-known drug lord” and politicians who were allegedly attempting to manipulate the election results.
Current Status (Late December 2025)
As of Christmas Day 2025, Incanha remains a powerful behind-the-scenes figure in the transitional government.
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The Junta’s Voice: He continues to serve as the primary spokesperson for the High Military Command, frequently delivering the junta’s decrees regarding curfews, border controls, and the suspension of political institutions.
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Transition Oversight: He is part of the military core that published the “Charter of the Transition” on December 8, 2025, which outlines a one-year rule before new elections are held.
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Release of Detainees: On December 23, 2024, acting as a representative of the junta, his office announced the release of six opposition politicians (associates of Domingos Simões Pereira) as a “sign of good faith” to regional bodies like ECOWAS.
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Legal Immunity: Incanha is a primary beneficiary of the amnesty law proposed by the junta in December 2025, which seeks to protect those involved in the “subversion of constitutional order” on the day of the coup.
Historical Significance
Incanha is now cemented in history as the leader of Guinea-Bissau’s ninth coup attempt (successful or otherwise) since independence. His actions have led to the total isolation of the country by the African Union and ECOWAS, which continue to demand a return to constitutional rule.