This Nov 18, 2021 photo shows a general view of the Prime Minister's office of Sao Tome and Principe in Sao Tome. (ADRIEN MAROTTE / AFP)

SAO TOME – A coup attempt was thwarted in Sao Tome and Principe, a small Gulf of Guinea island country late Thursday, the country’s prime minister, Patrice Trovoada, announced on Friday.

During a press conference held earlier, Trovoada said that the military aborted a coup attempt late Thursday at the army headquarters in the capital Sao Tome, noting that the situation is already under control.

Four men, including Delfim Neves, former president of the outgoing national assembly, and Arlecio Costa, a former officer who was convicted in 2009 for an alleged attempted coup, were arrested for their alleged link with the incident, said Trovoada.

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Trovoada said he hopes that the truth will be found out and that everyone involved in this attack will be held accountable.