The African Union and ECOWAS have issued strong condemnations of the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, calling for the immediate release of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and other detained officials, as well as the swift continuation of the electoral process that was halted shortly before results were due to be announced.
In a joint statement released in Bissau, the heads of the African Union, ECOWAS and the West African Elders Forum election missions warned that the military intervention marked a serious setback for democratic governance and threatened the fragile progress the country has made in recent years.
Countries like Nigeria and Ghana have also added their voices, urging decisive regional action to restore constitutional order and insisting that Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces step aside and free all detainees without delay.
International observers say the priority now is a rapid return to democratic procedures to protect the will of the electorate and maintain stability in the wider sub region.
