ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia: The African Union has suspended Guinea-Bissau’s membership following this week’s coup in the West African nation.
The AU decided “to suspend Guinea-Bissau from its bodies with immediate effect”, chairman Mahamoud Ali Youssouf said.
Life in Guinea-Bissau’s capital began to return to normal on Friday, after the coup that halted the electoral process and forced the president into exile.
The takeover occurred just one day before officials were scheduled to release the provisional results of Sunday’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
In a statement released Thursday, Youssouf reiterated the AU’s “zero tolerance for, and firm rejection of, any unconstitutional change of government.”
He emphasised the need to respect the ongoing electoral process and maintain constitutional order in accordance with the mandate of the country’s electoral commission. Youssouf urged all parties to exercise “the utmost restraint to prevent any further deterioration of the situation.”
He also reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to cooperating with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other international partners to help restore stability and protect democratic processes in Guinea-Bissau.
Ghana, Nigeria Condemn ‘Direct Assault’ on Democracy
The Ghanaian government issued a strong condemnation of the coup on Wednesday, calling it a “direct assault on democratic governance” and a disruption of the electoral process that followed peaceful presidential and legislative elections, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
Ghana urged the swift restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau and called on all parties to uphold the democratic process, addressing any electoral disputes through peaceful, transparent, and legally recognised channels.
The government also highlighted the need to ensure the safety of members of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, led by Ghanaian Ambassador Baba Kamara, and demanded their immediate protection and secure passage.
Nigeria echoed these concerns in a statement on Thursday, expressing “profound dismay and deep concern” over the coup. Abuja reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau, calling for the prompt restoration of constitutional order, the protection of detainees, and respect for democratic institutions.
