The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) have strongly condemned the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau that occurred just three days after the country's presidential and legislative elections.
Military Seizes Power Amid Election Dispute
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, military forces in Guinea-Bissau announced they were taking total control of the country, suspending the electoral process and closing all borders. The coup followed gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, where an AFP journalist witnessed people running as shots were heard.
Brigadier General Denis N'Canha, head of the military office of the presidency, confirmed the takeover during a press conference at the General Staff of the Armed Forces. He stated that a command comprising all branches of the armed forces was assuming leadership of the nation until further notice.
The military justified its actions by citing an alleged plot to destabilize the country involving national drug lords and the introduction of weapons to alter constitutional order. As part of the takeover, military forces suspended media programming and imposed a nationwide curfew.
Regional Bodies Issue Joint Condemnation
The election observation missions deployed by the African Union, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum issued a joint statement describing the military intervention as a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process in Guinea-Bissau.
The statement was signed by three prominent figures: Filipe Nyusi, Head of the AU Election Observation Mission; Issifu Kamara, Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission; and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Head of the West African Elders Forum.
We express deep concern with the announcement of coup d'état by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results, the statement read. It is regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meetings with the two leading presidential candidates.
Election Background and Current Situation
The military takeover followed the November 23, 2025 election, where both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had declared victory before official results could be announced.
The regional observation missions revealed they had received assurances from both candidates of their willingness to accept the will of the people just before the military intervention. The missions also expressed concern about the arrest of top electoral officials and demanded their immediate release to allow the electoral process to proceed.
Among those affected by the border closures is former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who confirmed he is safe but unable to leave the country due to the military's shutdown of all exit points.
The regional bodies have called on the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm while urging the AU and ECOWAS to take necessary steps to restore constitutional order in the West African nation, which has experienced multiple coups since gaining independence.
