Coup Follows Disputed Elections

Guinea-Bissau’s military detained several government ‍officials, including ⁣the​ Electoral Commission President, following disputed general elections held on November 23, 2025. ⁢ The coup⁣ leaders ​allege irregularities⁤ in‌ the election process, though these claims have not been ‍independently verified. The detained officials include members of the ruling PAIGC party and opposition figures.

Preliminary results indicated a potential runoff between incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló⁣ and opposition ​leader Domingos Simões Pereira.The military’s intervention⁢ effectively halted the electoral process ⁣and raised concerns about ‍a return to authoritarian rule.

International Response:⁣ Condemnation and⁤ Suspension

The international community has swiftly condemned‌ the military takeover. The African Union (AU) has‍ reiterated its “zero tolerance” policy ⁤for unconstitutional changes of government. Mahmoud Ali⁢ Youssouf,‍ the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained officials and emphasized that only the⁤ National Electoral Commission ‍possesses the legal authority to announce election‌ results.

The Economic Community of ⁣West⁢ African States (ECOWAS) has also‍ strongly condemned the coup, announcing on‌ Thursday, November 28, 2025,⁤ the suspension ‌of​ Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making⁢ bodies​ following an emergency summit of regional leaders. ‌ ECOWAS has a ​history ⁣of intervening in member states experiencing ⁤political‍ instability,sometimes⁤ deploying peacekeeping forces or imposing sanctions.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “deep concern” over the events, issuing a statement on November 27, ‌2025, that strongly condemned the ​coup and any attempt to ⁢violate⁣ constitutional order. He stressed that disregarding⁤ “the will of the people⁤ who ‍peacefully⁤ cast their vote during⁢ the 23 November general ​elections constitutes ‌an unacceptable violation of⁢ democratic principles.”​ Guterres ​called for the “immediate and unconditional restoration of⁢ constitutional order” and the​ release of‌ all detained officials, including electoral authorities, ⁣opposition leaders, and other political actors.

Background: Political Instability in Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau has a ⁢long⁤ history of political ‍instability, marked by frequent military ‌coups⁣ and ⁤attempted⁢ coups as its independence from Portugal in 1974. The country’s ‌weak institutions, economic⁣ challenges, and deep-rooted ‌political divisions contribute‍ to this fragility.

The PAIGC (African Party for the ​Independence of Guinea and ​Cape verde) has dominated ⁢Guinea-Bissau’s political landscape for much of its‍ post-independence ‌history, but its grip on power​ has⁣ been challenged in ⁢recent years. The 2019⁣ parliamentary elections resulted ⁣in a PAIGC majority, but the party has faced increasing opposition ⁢from⁢ other political forces.