Regional and continental bodies have denounced the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, calling it a grave assault on democracy and urging an urgent return to constitutional rule.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the African Union Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum condemned the suspension of election result announcements and the seizure of power by the armed forces.
The statement, signed by Filipe Nyusi (AU), Issifu Kamara (ECOWAS) and Goodluck Jonathan (West African Elders Forum), described the coup as “a blatant attempt to derail the democratic process” in the country.
“We express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’état by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the results of presidential and legislative elections,” the observers said.
“It is regrettable that this occurred shortly after the two leading candidates assured us they would accept the will of the people.”
Gunfire, border closures as military takes charge
Tension erupted in Bissau on Wednesday when heavy gunfire was heard near the presidential palace. Armed soldiers moved in swiftly, shutting down the main access roads and later appearing on state TV to announce that they had taken “total control of the country.”
General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, declared that a unified military command had assumed leadership, citing an alleged plot involving “national drug lords” aimed at destabilising the state and altering its constitutional order.
The military also suspended all electoral activities, halted media programming, imposed a nationwide curfew, and closed the country’s borders.
AU, ECOWAS demand release of detained officials
The joint missions voiced strong concern over the arrest of senior electoral officials and called on the military to release them immediately to allow the electoral process to continue.
“We urge the armed forces to immediately release all detained officials responsible for overseeing the elections,” the statement said. “The country’s democratic process must be allowed to proceed to its lawful conclusion.”
They appealed to citizens to remain calm and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau through the crisis, stressing the importance of peace, stability and the protection of the people’s democratic rights.
A country trapped in cycles of coups
Guinea-Bissau - one of West Africa’s most politically unstable nations - has witnessed four coups and several failed attempts since independence. The latest seizure of power threatens to deepen uncertainty in the region, where multiple countries have already experienced military takeovers in recent years.
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