Military authorities in Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday declared that they had assumed full control of the country, announcing the suspension of all electoral activities and an immediate closure of national borders.

The development comes just three days after the nation conducted its legislative and presidential elections.

The declaration followed reports of heavy gunfire earlier in the day around the presidential palace in Bissau.

Witnesses said soldiers in uniform moved to secure the main access road leading to the palace, heightening tensions in the politically fragile West African state.

The announcement was delivered from the army headquarters in the capital, where senior military officers read out a statement confirming the takeover and outlining the steps being implemented as part of their control.