By Obinna Uballa
Regional and continental election observers have sharply condemned the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau and the suspension of the country’s electoral process, describing it as a direct assault on democracy.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the African Union Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum denounced the coup as “a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process.”
The statement was signed by Head of the AU Mission Filipe Nyusi, Head of the ECOWAS Mission Issifu Kamara, and Head of the West African Elders Forum Goodluck Jonathan, who all called on the regional blocs to take urgent steps to restore constitutional order.
The observers expressed deep concern that soldiers announced a takeover while the country was awaiting final results from Saturday’s presidential and legislative elections. Both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition frontrunner Fernando Dias had already claimed victory.
“It is regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meetings with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people,” the observers lamented.
Tensions escalated on Wednesday after heavy gunfire erupted near the presidential palace in Bissau. Soldiers barricaded the main road leading to the building and shortly after, appeared on state media to announce a full takeover.
General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, declared that a joint military command comprising all branches of the armed forces had assumed control “until further notice.”
He claimed the army had uncovered a plot involving “national drug lords” aimed at destabilising the country and altering the constitutional order.
The military subsequently suspended the entire electoral process, shut down media programming, closed Guinea-Bissau’s borders, and imposed a mandatory curfew.
The AU, ECOWAS, and West African Elders Forum condemned the arrests of senior officials, including electoral commission personnel, insisting they must be released immediately to allow the poll results to be finalised.
“We urge the armed forces to immediately release the detained officials to allow the country’s electoral process to proceed to its conclusion,” the statement said.
The observers also appealed for calm among citizens while reaffirming their commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau’s democratic transition.
Guinea-Bissau has endured chronic political instability, with four successful coups and several failed attempts since independence. The latest crisis deepens concerns about democratic backsliding in West Africa, where multiple nations have recently fallen under military rule.
