BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — The main opposition candidate in Guinea-Bissau late Wednesday claimed victory in a closely contested presidental vote this week and accused the West African nation’s leader of staging a coup to avoid defeat.

Wednesday’s military takeover and the reported arrest of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was “fabricated” to disrupt election results expected Thursday, his rival Fernando Dias said in a video posted online, which echoed claims by civil society groups.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims by Dias, a member of the Social Renewal Party.

The opposition African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde was barred from the vote, prompting its leader, former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira and runner-up in the 2019 ele

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