By Charles Pemu 
The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have issued a strong joint condemnation of the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, demanding the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the release of all detained government and electoral officials.
The condemnation was formalized in a joint statement released on Wednesday by the Election Observation Missions of the AU and ECOWAS, in collaboration with the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), which was headed by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
Coup Deemed Unacceptable Disruption
The regional bodies vehemently denounced the military action—in which officers declared “total control” and ordered the suspension of the electoral process—as an “unacceptable disruption of the democratic process” and a “blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic gains” achieved in the nation.
The missions expressed profound concern and regret that the coup announcement occurred just as the country was anticipating the official results of the peaceful November 23, 2025, presidential and legislative elections. The observer heads noted that they had recently engaged with the two leading presidential candidates who had provided assurances of their willingness to accept the will of the people.
The joint statement condemned the arrests of top government and electoral officials, issuing an urgent appeal to the armed forces to immediately release all detainees to enable the electoral process to proceed to its lawful conclusion.
The missions formally requested the AU and ECOWAS to “take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order” in Guinea-Bissau, reinforcing the region’s commitment against the trend of military interventions.
The observer missions, whose leaders included former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi (AU Mission) and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (WAEF), reaffirmed their support for the democratic aspirations of Guinea-Bissau. They concurrently called on the nation’s populace to maintain calm during this sensitive and critical period.