The African Union Commission (AUC) has strongly condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau that unfolded on November 26, 2025, resulting in the arrest of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, senior government officials, and political leaders.
The intervention occurred as the country awaited the announcement of its electoral results.
In a statement on Thursday, AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the Union unequivocally condemns the seizure of power.
He stressed that it represents a clear violation of continental norms governing democratic transitions and constitutional order.
Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s “zero tolerance” policy on unconstitutional changes of government, citing key frameworks that underpin this stance, including the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Lomé Declaration, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the Ezulwini Framework.
The Chairperson also acknowledged the Joint Statement on the Post-Election Situation released on Wednesday by the heads of three observer missions — the African Union Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum — which assessed the unfolding situation in the country.
Youssouf underscored the need to uphold the integrity of Guinea-Bissau’s electoral process, noting that the National Electoral Commission (CNE) remains the only institution legally mandated to announce official results.
He warned that the military’s actions threaten to undermine constitutional order at a critical moment for the country’s democratic trajectory.
“The Chairperson stresses the imperative of respecting the ongoing electoral process and upholding constitutional order, in line with the mandate of the National Electoral Commission (CNE), the sole institution legally empowered to proclaim official election results in the country,” the AU chair said.
The AU chief called for the immediate and unconditional release of President Embaló and all detained officials, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent a further escalation of tensions.
“He calls for the immediate and unconditional release of President Embaló and all de- tained officials, and urges all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in order to prevent any further deterioration of the situation.”
He reiterated the AU’s readiness to work alongside ECOWAS and other international partners to help restore stability in Guinea-Bissau.
This support, he noted, would be guided by dialogue and mechanisms grounded in constitutional and legal principles.
Youssouf concluded by expressing solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau, assuring them of the African Union’s commitment to supporting their pursuit of peace, stability, and democratic consolidation during what he described as a critical period for the nation.
