The African Union has taken decisive action against Guinea-Bissau, suspending the West African nation from all AU bodies following a military coup that overthrew President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.
Military Seizes Power Amid Election Controversy
The military announced on Wednesday that it had successfully overthrown President Embalo, disrupting what would have been the imminent announcement of election results in the Portuguese-speaking country. The coup leaders have appointed General Horta N'Tam, previously serving as army chief of staff, as the transitional president for what they claim will be a one-year period.
After being initially detained by military forces, the ousted president Umaro Sissoco Embalo managed to flee to neighboring Senegal on Thursday. Meanwhile, opposition presidential candidate Fernando Dias, who maintains he actually won the contested election, confirmed to AFP that he remains in hiding within Guinea-Bissau but is safe.
International Condemnation and Sanctions
The African Union's suspension decision was confirmed by AU Commission chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who stated the organization decided "to suspend Guinea-Bissau from its bodies with immediate effect." This move represents the latest in a series of suspensions the AU has imposed on African nations following military takeovers.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly denounced what he called an "unacceptable violation of democratic principles." Adding to the international pressure, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies.
History of Political Instability
Guinea-Bissau, positioned between Senegal and Guinea, has experienced significant political turmoil throughout its history. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, the nation has witnessed four successful coups and numerous attempted takeovers. Election results in the country are frequently contested, adding to the persistent political instability.
The nation ranks among the world's poorest countries and has become known as a major hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe. This illicit trade has been facilitated by the country's long-standing political chaos and weak governance structures.
Guinea-Bissau now joins several other African nations that have faced AU suspension following military coups, including:
- Mali
- Burkina Faso
- Niger
- Sudan
- Madagascar
The suspension against Gabon, which was imposed after President Ali Bongo was overthrown, was only lifted in April 2025.
Alarming Trend of African Coups
The military takeover in Guinea-Bissau marks a disturbing milestone, representing the tenth successful coup on the African continent within just five years. This pattern of military interventions highlights the ongoing challenges to democratic governance across Africa.
Recent years have seen multiple nations fall to military rule:
- Mali experienced two coups in 2020 and 2021, with Colonel Assimi Goita establishing himself as transitional president and subsequently extending his rule
- Guinea saw President Alpha Conde arrested by mutinous troops in September 2021
- Sudan underwent a coup in October 2021 that eventually escalated into full-scale civil war
- Burkina Faso witnessed two military coups in 2022
- Niger saw President Mohamed Bazoum overthrown in July 2023
- Gabon experienced the overthrow of President Ali Bongo in August 2023
- Madagascar became the most recent addition to this list before Guinea-Bissau, with President Andry Rajoelina ousted in October 2025
This growing pattern of military interventions raises serious concerns about the stability of democratic institutions across Africa and represents a significant challenge to regional organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS in their efforts to maintain constitutional order.
