The African Union (AU) has removed Guinea-Bissau from its activities following this week’s military takeover, saying the action violates the core principles of constitutional governance in the bloc.
In a statement released on Saturday, the AU Peace and Security Council said it had “immediately” frozen Guinea-Bissau’s participation in the organisation until constitutional rule is restored, just two days after army officers announced they had removed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.
The Council “strongly condemned” the November 26 coup, describing it as an unconstitutional change of government and a violation of AU rules. The announcement followed an emergency meeting held on Friday.
Council members demanded the unconditional release of detained election officials and political leaders, while urging ECOWAS, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), the UN and other partners to push for a swift return to civilian leadership and constitutional order in the country.
A group of senior officers calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order” declared on Wednesday that they had “assumed full powers of the state” and ousted Embalo from office.
On Thursday, the High Military Command appointed Gen. Horta Inta-A as transitional president for a one-year period.
The coup followed a tense presidential contest between independent candidate Fernando Dias and incumbent Embalo, with both sides claiming victory in the November 23 election as the nation awaited official results.
The AU Peace and Security Council urged the military to allow the electoral process to continue and respect the choice of voters.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the coup, while ECOWAS also suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies.
Backed by ECOWAS’ stance, the AU warned that targeted sanctions may follow “if the junta continues interfering in political processes.” It also directed the AU Commission to strengthen coordination with ECOWAS, protect election observers, increase stabilization efforts and establish a monitoring mechanism.
Embalo, who was seeking re-election, was arrested on Wednesday and later fled to Senegal after his release.
An ECOWAS high-level delegation, including the presidents of Senegal, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone, is expected in Bissau this weekend for talks with the new military rulers and other stakeholders.
