The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), and the West African Elders Forum have expressed concern over a coup d’état announced by Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces following the presidential and legislative elections held on November 23, 2025.
In a joint statement, they commended the people of Guinea-Bissau for their peaceful participation and the professionalism of polling staff, security personnel, and party agents during the voting process.
However, the group expressed deep concern that the coup announcement came while the nation awaited the official election results, just after meetings with the two leading presidential candidates, both of whom had affirmed their commitment to accept the will of the people.
“We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process and the gains that have been achieved thus far,” the statement read.
They also raised alarm over the arrests of top officials, including electoral authorities, and urged the armed forces to immediately release them so that the electoral process can continue uninterrupted.
The joint statement called on the African Union and ECOWAS to take urgent steps to restore constitutional order and appealed to the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm.
“We reaffirm our commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau on its democratic path,” the statement concluded.
