(MENAFN) Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces have designated a general to act as the country’s interim leader following the removal of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in a coup that regional authorities have criticized as a “blatant” attempt to undermine democracy.

On Wednesday, military officials announced they had taken “total control” of the West African nation, suspended all governmental institutions, and shut the borders just before the electoral commission was due to release results from Sunday’s contested election.

“I have just been sworn in to lead the High Command,” General Horta Nta Na Man stated after assuming office in a ceremony held at the military headquarters on Thursday, a news agency reported.

A joint team of observers from the African Union (AU), the regional ECOWAS bloc, and the West African Elders Forum noted on Wednesday that the elections were completed in an “orderly and peaceful” fashion, highlighting that both main presidential contenders had promised to accept the results.

“We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process and the gains that have been achieved thus far,” the mission leaders said in a collective statement late Wednesday.

They condemned the detention of senior officials, including those responsible for managing the vote, and called for their immediate release to allow the electoral process to continue.

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