In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the missions described the coup as “a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process.” The statement was signed by AU Election Observation Mission head Filipe Nyusi, ECOWAS Mission head Issifu Kamara, and West African Elders Forum head Goodluck Jonathan.
The missions called on the AU and ECOWAS to take urgent measures to restore constitutional order. “We express deep concern with the announcement of coup d’etat by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results,” the statement said.
The elections, held on Saturday, saw both incumbent President Umaro Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declare victory. However, before the official results were announced, military officers seized control of the country, suspending the electoral process and closing borders.
The takeover followed heavy gunfire near the presidential palace, with soldiers blocking main access roads. General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, told reporters that “a command composed of all branches of the armed forces” would lead the country temporarily. He cited an alleged plan involving national drug lords to destabilise the country and claimed that weapons had been introduced to undermine the constitutional order.
The AU, ECOWAS, and West African Elders Forum demanded the immediate release of detained electoral officials to allow the election process to conclude. They also urged the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, stressing the importance of peace, stability, and the well-being of citizens during this sensitive period.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced four coups since independence, alongside multiple attempted takeovers, highlighting the fragility of its democratic institutions.
