Leaders of the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observers’ Missions have expressed concern over the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau
According to a joint statement issued by both organisations, “It’s regrettable that this [coup] announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people.”
The Observer missions that included Mozambique’s former President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan, urged the regional bodies to take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order.
“We urge the armed forces to immediately release the detained officials to allow the country’s electoral process to proceed to its conclusion,” the observers’ statement said.
The Joint Statement by the Heads of the African Union Election Observation Mission, ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum On the Post-Election Situation in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau read in full: “We, the Heads of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), and the West African Elders Forum note the orderly and peaceful conclusion of the voting process for the presidential and legislative elections held on 23 November 2025 in the Republic of Guinea- Bissau.
“Despite these encouraging developments, we express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’etat by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results. It’s regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people.
“We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process and the gains that have been achieved thus far. We request the African Union and the ECOWAS to take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order.
“We express concern of the arrests of top officials including those that are in charge of the electoral process. In this regard, we urge the armed forces to immediately release the detained officials to allow the country’s electoral process to proceed to its conclusion.
“We call on the people of Guinea Bissau to remain calm, and we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Country on its democratic path, and in this respect, we underscore the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people during this sensitive period.”
Done in Bissau, on 26 November 2025
Meanwhile, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said during a news conference in New York that he has also been following the situation in Guinea-Bissau “with deep concern”.
She added that the UN chief appealed “to all national stakeholders in Guinea Bissau to exercise restraint and exercise and respect the rule of law”.
“The Secretary-General will continue to closely follow the situation in the country as it unfolds.”
Similarly, the Portuguese government has called on all parties to refrain from “any act of institutional or civic violence”.
In a statement, it said Guinea-Bissau’s state institutions must be allowed to function in order to finalise the electoral process.
