Denis N'Canha

Dinis Incanha (born 15 August 1960) is a Bissau-Guinean brigadier general who led the 2025 coup d'état becoming the Chief of the High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order afterwards. Before the coup, he served as the head of the military office of the presidency. He was Guinea-Bissau's de facto leader as Spokesperson of the military junta for a day from 26 to 27 November 2025 after leading the coup d'état, becoming the shortest-serving head of state in Bissau-Guinean history.

He was appointed the presidency's military office head in February 2021 replacing General António Abel. He stated that it would rule the country until further notice and appealed for calm among the populace. Incanha suspended all political institutions and media outlets and the electoral process, closed international borders, and imposed an indefinite overnight curfew.

On 27 November 2025, he presided over the investiture ceremony of General Horta Inta-A Na Man as Transitional President of Guinea-Bissau and Chief of the High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order.

2025 coup d'état and leadership

On 26 November 2025, just as the general election results were about to be announced, gunshots were heard in Bissau near the Presidential Palace. In his speech, Incanha said that the coup happened due to plans to "destabilise Guinea-Bissau" made by politicians, domestic and foreign figures, and a "well-known drug lord".

A few hours later, Incanha and the other officers then announced the formation of the High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order, with Incanha becoming its chief and thus the country's de facto leader. However, a day after the coup on 27 November, Incanha stepped down and handed over power to General Horta Inta-A Na Man. Incanha thus became the shortest-serving leader in Bissau-Guinean history, and also subsequently retained his role as the head of the military office of the presidency.