AU, ECOWAS Rage as Soldiers Hijack Guinea-Bissau Election in Sudden Coup
By Passman Akpos
The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), and the West African Elders Forum have issued a joint and urgent statement condemning the sudden announcement of a military coup in Guinea-Bissau, describing it as a “blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process.”
The missions, whose leaders had been observing the 23 November 2025 presidential and legislative elections, said the voting exercise had concluded in an orderly, peaceful, and professional manner across the country. They commended the people of Guinea-Bissau for their “strong civic engagement” and lauded polling staff, security personnel, and political party agents for ensuring a credible electoral environment.
However, the observers expressed deep concern that while the nation awaited official results — and shortly after both leading presidential candidates had pledged to respect the will of the people — the armed forces announced that they had seized power.
According to the joint statement, the coup announcement came at a moment when the missions believed the country was on a clear democratic trajectory. Instead, the military takeover has thrown Guinea-Bissau into a state of political uncertainty.
The observers also condemned the reported arrests of top officials, including those responsible for overseeing the electoral process. They called on the military to “immediately release the detained officials to allow the country’s electoral process to proceed to its conclusion.”
The joint statement urged the African Union and ECOWAS leadership to take all necessary steps to ensure the immediate restoration of constitutional order in the country.
Appealing directly to the citizens of Guinea-Bissau, the missions called for calm and restraint, emphasizing that peace and stability must be preserved during this sensitive period.
The statement was signed in Bissau on 26 November 2025 by:
H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, Head of the AUEOM and former President of Mozambique
H.E. Issifu Baba Braímah Kamara, Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission
H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, Head of the West African Elders Forum and former President of Nigeria
The missions reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau’s democratic journey, insisting that the will of the people must not be subverted.
