UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned on Friday the military coup in Guinea-Bissau that took place just days after national elections, saying that it gravely violates constitutional order and democratic principles.
Guterres urged all parties to respect the rule of law by immediately and unconditionally restoring constitutional order and releasing all detained officials, including political figures and opposition leaders. He further emphasized that “disputes must be resolved through peaceful and inclusive dialogue and legal avenues.”
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also echoed Guterres’ statement, expressing concerns over reported rights violations, including restrictions on independent radio stations and internet access, and the use of force against peaceful protesters. He especially noted reports of arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force by the military, with at least 18 people detained. Most of these people are said to be held incommunicado.
African Union Commission chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf similarly condemned the military coup, reiterating the AU’s “zero tolerance” for unconstitutional changes of government. He also emphasized that the National Electoral Commission has the sole legal authority to proclaim election results. Likewise, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) denounced the coup and suspended Guinea-Bissau from the organization’s decision-making bodies until there is a full restoration of constitutional order.
The presidential election, pitting incumbent Umaro Sissoko Embaló against his main rival Fernando Dias, took place on November 23. Three days later, both Embaló and Dias declared victory before the release of official results.
The military then announced on November 26 that they had taken “total control” of the country, just a day before the National Elections Commission was scheduled to release the official results. The military said it intervened to stop electoral manipulation, without citing the source of the suspicions.
Embaló was reportedly arrested at his presidential office ahead of the military announcement. On November 27, Major-General Horta Nta Na Man was sworn in as transitional president for a one-year term after the military formally removed Embaló from his position. The ousted Embaló later arrived in Senegal, with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko calling the military coup a “sham.”
This latest military takeover in Guinea-Bissau reflects a pattern of instability since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1974. It follows a long string of coups or attempted coups, in 2012, 2022 and 2023.
Guinea-Bissau also ranks first among African countries in the cocaine trade. Experts have argued that “the deep-rooted involvement of Guinea-Bissau’s political-military elite in this illicit market has been a critical factor driving Guinea-Bissau’s repeated cycles of political turmoil.” In his inaugural speech, transitional president Nta Na Man justified the military takeover as necessary to save Guinean democracy from “narcotraffickers.”
Notably, under Article 4(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a coup d’état may be regarded as “an emergency that threatens the life of a nation.”
