Source: Africa Publicity
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has unequivocally condemned the military coup d’État in Guinea-Bissau.
The coup d’etat took place on November 26, 2025, resulting in the arrest of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, senior officials, and political leaders, at a moment when the nation was on the verge of the announcement of its electoral results.
A statement issued by AU said Chairperson reiterated the African Union’s zero tolerance for, and firm rejection of, any unconstitutional change of government, in accordance with the Union’s core normative instruments, including the Constitutive Act of the African Union (2000), the Lomé Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (2000), the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), and the Ezulwini Framework (2009).
It says the Chairperson has taken note of the Joint Statement on the Post-Election Situation issued on 26 November 2025 by the Heads of the African Union Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum.
According to the statement, “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.”
“He calls for the immediate and unconditional release of President Embaló and all detained officials, and urges all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in order to prevent any further deterioration of the situation.”
“He reaffirms the African Union’s readiness, working in close coordination with ECOWAS and other key international partners, to support all efforts aimed at restoring stability and safeguarding democratic processes through dialogue and legally grounded mechanisms.”
It noted that “Finally, the Chairperson reiterates the African Union’s steadfast support and solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau during this critical period, and its commitment to accompanying them on the path toward peace, stability, and democratic consolidation.”
