ECOWAS and AU condemn coup in Guinea-Bissau, demand return to constitutional rule

‎The African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum have issued a joint condemnation of the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, demanding an immediate restoration of constitutional order.
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‎In a statement released on Wednesday, the election observation missions, led by Filipe Nyusi (AU), Issifu Kamara (ECOWAS), and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (WAEF), deplored the military’s actions as a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process just as the nation awaited official election results.
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The military coup was announced by Brigadier General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, who appeared on state television surrounded by armed soldiers. The new military command, which suspended the electoral process and closed all borders, claimed it acted to thwart a plan to destabilize the country involving national drug lords.
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The observer missions stated that the coup was declared after they had met with the two leading presidential candidates, incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias, both of whom had assured them of their willingness to accept the will of the people.
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The international bodies condemned the arrests of top officials, including those who are in charge of the electoral process. They urged the armed forces to immediately release the detained officials so that the counting process could be concluded.
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