Mahamat Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, has condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, calling for the immediate release of ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and other detained officials.
In its statement, the Commission reaffirmed the AU’s “zero tolerance for any unconstitutional change of government” and its unequivocal rejection of such actions.
The communiqué stressed the importance of respecting the ongoing electoral process and preserving constitutional order.
Youssouf urged all parties to exercise “maximum restraint” to avoid an escalation of the crisis, emphasizing the African Union’s readiness to work with ECOWAS and international partners to restore stability and safeguard democracy in Guinea-Bissau.
Several countries and international organizations — including the United Nations, Portugal, Ghana, and Nigeria — also condemned the coup, calling for the restoration of constitutional order and the resolution of electoral disputes through peaceful and legal means.
