Reports from Reuters stated that gunfire broke out in the capital of Guinea-Bissau overnight and into Friday am.
Nothing is known about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
An army commander resides in the Antula neighborhood on the outskirts of the capital, and there is where one reporter claimed to have heard gunshots for the first time at midnight.
On Friday morning, locals were commuting to work and school while military vehicles were on the streets. Though not as often as they had been during the night, gunfire was still audible.
In close proximity to the presidential palace, another reporter heard gunshots.
After gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has seen at least ten coups or attempted coups. In this West African country south of Senegal, just one democratically elected president has served out a full term.
A coup attempt against President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in February of last year resulted in the deaths of at least six persons.
Embalo stated at the time that it had nothing to do with an army plot to take over but rather had to do with the government’s war on drugs.
Throughout the last three years, there have been several military takeovers in West Africa, including two in Mali, one in Guinea, two in Burkina Faso, and one in Gabon.
A military coup attempt in Sierra Leone was repelled over the weekend by the country’s administration. As gunmen stormed military barracks, a prison, and other facilities in the capital Freetown on Sunday, releasing over 2,200 prisoners, more than 20 people were killed.