AU, ECOWAS, West African Elders Condemn Guinea-Bissau Coup

The African Union Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum have strongly condemned a coup d’état announced by the armed forces of Guinea-Bissau shortly after the country held presidential and legislative elections on November 23, 2025.

In a joint statement, the three groups praised the people of Guinea-Bissau for voting peacefully and in large numbers. They said polling officials, security officers, and party agents worked professionally throughout the election day, helping to ensure a smooth process.

However, the observers expressed deep worry that the military announced a coup while the country was still waiting for the official results. According to them, the announcement came right after they had met the two leading presidential candidates. Both candidates had agreed to respect the final results and accept the will of the people, no matter who won. The observer missions said the timing of the coup attempt was a direct threat to democracy.

The groups said they “deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process” and warned that the action could erase the progress Guinea-Bissau has made in recent years. They also expressed concern about reports that senior officials, including members of the electoral commission, had been arrested by the armed forces. They called these arrests unacceptable and demanded that the detained officials be freed immediately to allow the election process to continue.

The joint statement appealed to the African Union and ECOWAS to take quick and decisive steps to restore constitutional rule in the country. They urged regional leaders to work together to prevent further instability and protect the rights of the people of Guinea-Bissau.

The observer missions also called on citizens to remain calm and avoid any actions that could lead to violence. They encouraged the public to trust that regional bodies are working to ensure that democracy is respected and that their votes will count.

In their final message, the African Union, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau. They said they will continue to stand with the country as it works to protect its democratic gains and create a stable and peaceful future.