Former President Goodluck Jonathan and other African leaders have condemned the recent coup d’état in Guinea-Bissau, describing it as an attempt to disrupt the democratic process just days after peaceful presidential and legislative elections.
In a joint statement, Jonathan, speaking as Head of the West African Elders Forum; former Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, head of the African Union Election Observation Mission; and Issifu Baba Braimah Kamara, Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, expressed deep concern over the coup. The three leaders had observed the elections held on November 23.
While noting that the elections were orderly and peaceful, the statement said: “Despite these encouraging developments, we express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’état by armed forces, while the nation was awaiting the announcement of results. It is regrettable that this announcement came just after our meetings with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people.”
The leaders urged the African Union and ECOWAS to take immediate steps to restore constitutional order. They also expressed concern over the arrests of top officials involved in the electoral process, calling on the armed forces to release them to allow the elections to proceed.
Finally, they appealed to the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm amid the political uncertainty.
