The African Union (AU) has suspended Guinea-Bissau following this week’s coup in the West African country. The decision was confirmed on Friday by the AU Commission head, who spoke to AFP about the organisation’s immediate response to the political turmoil.
Chairman Mahamoud Ali Youssouf stated that the AU had decided “to suspend Guinea-Bissau from its bodies with immediate effect”, marking a significant diplomatic action as the situation in the country continues to unfold.
Election observation missions deployed to Guinea-Bissau by the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Elders Forum jointly condemned the interruption of the announcement of presidential and legislative election results, as well as the subsequent military takeover.
African Union Missions Call for Restoring Order
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the missions described the development as “a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process” in Guinea-Bissau. The statement was signed by Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, Filipe Nyusi; Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, Issifu Kamara; and Head of the West African Elders Forum, Goodluck Jonathan.
The missions urged both the AU and ECOWAS to take the necessary steps to restore constitutional order in the country. They further announced the suspension of Guinea-Bissau from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies until a full and effective constitutional order is reinstated.
AFP
More details to follow
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