by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
DAKAR / ABUJA – In a powerful and unified rebuke, election observation missions from the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) have condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, calling it a severe blow to the nation’s democracy.
The condemnation, issued in a rare joint statement on Wednesday, comes just days after the groups had praised the country for its peaceful and orderly presidential and legislative elections held on November 23.
The statement was signed by a trio of high-profile African leaders: former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi (head of the AU mission), former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (head of WAEF), and Issifu Kamara (head of the ECOWAS mission).
A Coup Amid a Democratic Process
The observers expressed particular alarm at the timing of the military’s power grab, which occurred while the country was awaiting the official election results. They revealed that both leading presidential candidates had previously assured them of their commitment to accept the poll’s outcome, making the military’s intervention even more disruptive.
“Despite these encouraging developments, we express deep concern over the announcement of a coup d’état by the armed forces while the nation awaited the results,” the joint statement declared.
The missions strongly condemned the reported arrest of senior government and electoral officials, labeling it a direct attempt to “derail the democratic process” and reverse the hard-won progress Guinea-Bissau has made in recent years.
Calls for Swift Action and Restoration of Order
In a clear call for international action, the groups urged ECOWAS and the AU to “take necessary steps to ensure the swift restoration of constitutional order.” They also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained officials so the electoral process can reach its legitimate conclusion.
Reaffirming their commitment to the people of Guinea-Bissau, the observers commended citizens for their “strong civic participation” in the now-threatened elections and called for calm.
“We urge the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain peaceful and restate our commitment to supporting the country on its democratic path,” the statement read, underscoring the critical need to safeguard the nation’s stability.
The coup marks a dramatic and dangerous escalation of political tensions in Guinea-Bissau, plunging a nation on the cusp of a democratic transfer of power into a fresh cycle of uncertainty and instability.