The African Union Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum have condemned Wednesday’s coup d’état and called for the junta leaders to return the country to ‘constitutional order’.
In a press release copy sent to the EyeWitnessNews mailing list on Wednesday evening, the statement reads, “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.
The press release commends the people of Guinea-Bissau for their strong civic engagement and the professionalism demonstrated by polling staff, security personnel, presidential candidates, and party agents throughout the voting process.
The group expressed deep concern about the announcement of the coup, as the country was awaiting the results. The release stated that the group had earlier met with the two leading candidates before the announcement of the coup, and they assured them that they were willing to accept the outcome of the elections.
The press release, which was signed by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as Head of the West African Elders Forum, H.E. Felipe Jacinto Head of the African Union Election Mission, and H.E. Issifu Baba Braimah Kamara Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, is calling on ECOWAS and the African Union to take “necessary steps to restore constitutional order.”
On Wednesday afternoon, gunshots were heard in parts of Guinea-Bissau’s capital, Bissau. Army officers later appeared on state television announcing a coup d’état. The army officers who are members of the Presidential Guard unit say they have suspended the electoral process and closed the country’s land border and airspace. Reports say the country’s President, Umaro Sissoco Embalo has been arrested.
