Coup: African Union Suspends Guinea-Bissau

By Paul Dada

The African Union (AU) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its activities following a military coup that unfolded earlier this week.

This was confirmed on Friday by the Chairman of the AU Commission Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.

The coup occurred on Wednesday when soldiers seized power just as provisional results from the presidential election, held on 23 November , were about to be announced. The military detained incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embaló and senior officials, suspended the vote count, and declared a takeover.

The coup, however,  drew swift and widespread condemnation from African leaders, regional blocs and global institutions as they all called for an immediate return to constitutional order.

Heads of the AU Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission and the West African Elders Forum had in a prompt reaction to the coup,  issued a joint statement deploring the military takeover.

They described the election process as having been conducted peacefully, with strong civic engagement, and condemned the army’s intervention, calling for a return to democratic governance and the release of detained officials.

The Secretary-General of the Nations, António Guterres, on his own part, issued a statement condemning the military coup as a grave violation of democratic principles and constitutional order. He called for the unconditional release of detained officials, peaceful and inclusive dialogue, and respect for the will of the voters.

The UN also reaffirmed its support for efforts by ECOWAS, the AU, and other regional partners to restore constitutional governance.