The election observation missions deployed to Guinea-Bissau by the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the West African Elders Forum have condemned the military takeover and the suspension of the country’s presidential and legislative elections.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the missions described the intervention as “a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process” in Guinea-Bissau. The statement was signed by Filipe Nyusi, Head of the AU Election Observation Mission; Issifu Kamara, Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission; and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Head of the West African Elders Forum.
“We express deep concern with the announcement of coup d’état by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results,” the statement said. “It is regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meetings with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people. We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process and the gains that we have achieved thus far. We request the African Union and ECOWAS to take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order.”
The military takeover followed the 23 November election, in which both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared victory. On Wednesday, military officers announced they were taking “total control of the country, suspending its electoral process and closing its borders” following gunfire near the presidential palace.
General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, told reporters that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice”. He cited an alleged plot to destabilise the country involving national drug lords and the introduction of weapons to alter the constitutional order. Military forces also suspended media programming and imposed a nationwide curfew.
The AU and ECOWAS missions expressed concern about the arrest of top electoral officials and urged their immediate release to allow the electoral process to proceed.
The statement read, “We call on the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, and we affirm our commitment to supporting the country on its democratic path, and in this respect, we underscore the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the Bissau Guinean people during this sensitive period.”
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, chair of the West African Elders Forum observer mission, is among several foreign dignitaries and election observers stranded in Guinea-Bissau following the military takeover.
He confirmed that he is safe but unable to leave due to the closure of all borders.
The West African country has experienced multiple coups since independence, and the latest intervention underscores ongoing political fragility.
The missions have called on the AU and ECOWAS to act urgently to restore constitutional order.
