Earlier on Wednesday, shots were heard near the election commission headquarters, presidential palace and interior ministry, although it was not clear who was responsible. Both he and his main rival, Fernando Dias, claimed they won in the first round of elections, held on Sunday. Earlier on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Embaló claimed the shots were being fired by gunmen affiliated to Dias. Embaló claimed to have survived three coup attempts during his first term in office, the most recent in October. However, critics claimed Embaló had fabricated the putsch attempts, using them as an excuse to repress opposition.
