Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appeared Wednesday on state television saying they have seized power in the country, following reports of gunshots near the presidential palace.

The military high command said it “just assumed the full powers of the State of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau” in a statement on state television.

It comes just days after general elections.

"The High Military Command for the re-establishment of national and public order decides to immediately depose the President of the Republic, to suspend, until new orders, all of the institutions of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, to suspend, until new orders, the activities of all media outlets, to immediately suspend the current electoral process, to close the land border, by sea and national airspace," said Dinis N’Tchama, a spokesperson for the country’s military high command.

A journalist of The Associated Press saw roads leading to the palace closed off, with checkpoints manned by heavily armed and masked soldiers.

Outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa each claimed victory Tuesday, even though official provisional results are not expected until Thursday.

The West African nation in the past has seen four coups and numerous attempted ones since independence, including one reported last month.