The African Union (AU) has firmly condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and other detained officials.

In a statement on Thursday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described the November 26, 2025 takeover—during which soldiers arrested the president, senior government figures, and political leaders—as a serious breach of constitutional order, especially coming at a time when the country was awaiting the announcement of its presidential election results.

“The Chairperson… unequivocally condemns the military coup d’état… resulting in the arrest of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, senior officials, and political leaders,” the statement said.

Youssouf stressed that the National Electoral Commission (CNE) remains the only authority legally empowered to declare election results, warning that any attempt to undermine the process would further destabilise the nation.

Reaffirming the AU’s zero-tolerance policy for unconstitutional changes of government, Youssouf cited key continental instruments, including the AU Constitutive Act, the Lomé Declaration, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the Ezulwini Framework.

He also referenced the joint post-election statement issued by the heads of the AU Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum, emphasising the need to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

The AU Chairperson urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further deterioration and pledged the Union’s readiness to work with ECOWAS and international partners to restore constitutional order, protect democratic institutions, and promote dialogue grounded in the rule of law.

Guinea-Bissau has been plagued by chronic political instability since its independence from Portugal in 1974, with more than nine coup attempts—some successful—and persistent tensions between civilian authorities and the military. President Embaló himself survived a violent coup attempt in February 2022.

The 2025 election was viewed as an important test of the country’s fragile democracy, but both incumbent Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared victory before official results were released. On Wednesday, the military seized power and placed the president under arrest.

ECOWAS, which has a long history of intervening in Guinea-Bissau during periods of instability, is expected to play a major role in diplomatic efforts to restore civilian rule following the latest military takeover.