ISTANBUL

African Union (AU) Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Thursday condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, calling for the immediate release of ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and other detained officials.

In a statement signed Wednesday and released Thursday, Youssouf reiterated the AU's “zero tolerance for, and firm rejection of, any unconstitutional change of government.”

He stressed the importance of respecting the ongoing electoral process and upholding constitutional order, in line with the mandate of the West African nation’s electoral commission.

Youssouf called on all parties to exercise “the utmost restraint in order to prevent any further deterioration of the situation.”

He reaffirmed the bloc’s readiness to work closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other international partners to restore stability and safeguard democratic processes in Guinea-Bissau.

The chairperson reiterated the AU's “steadfast support and solidarity” for the people of Guinea-Bissau “on the path toward peace, stability, and democratic consolidation.”

Ghana, Nigeria condemn ‘direct assault’ on democracy

The Ghanaian government “strongly and unequivocally” condemned the coup in a statement late on Wednesday.

“This unconstitutional usurpation of authority represents a direct assault on democratic governance and disrupts the electoral process that followed the peaceful conduct of presidential and legislative elections,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.

It called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau, urging all parties to respect the democratic process and resolve any electoral grievances through peaceful, transparent, and legally recognized means.

Ghana stressed the need to protect officials from the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission in Guinea-Bissau, which was led by Ghanaian Ambassador Baba Kamara, urging that their safety and secure passage be ensured without delay.

Nigeria also expressed “profound dismay and deep concern” over the coup in a statement on Thursday.

The statement said Nigeria stands with the people of Guinea-Bissau, urging the immediate restoration of constitutional order, the protection of detainees, and respect for democratic institutions.

It warned that “those behind this act will be held accountable for their actions, which threaten to plunge the nation into chaos and reverse the hard-won gains of its democracy.”

On Wednesday, in a statement broadcast on state television, a group of military officers identifying themselves as the "High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order" announced that they "assumed full powers of the state."

The military suspended all media activities, halted the ongoing electoral process, closed all borders, and imposed a nine-hour curfew starting at 9 pm local time (2100GMT).

The heads of the electoral observer missions urged the African Union and ECOWAS to take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order in the West African country.

The coup was staged as independent candidate Fernando Dias and incumbent President Embalo’s camps both claimed victory on Monday in the presidential election, as the country awaited the official results.