Addis Ababa, 26 November 2025 : The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, unequivocally condemns the military coup d’État that took place in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on 26 November 2025, resulting in the arrest of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, senior officials, and political leaders, at a moment when the nation was on the verge of the announcement of its electoral results.
The Chairperson reiterates the African Union’s zero tolerance for, and firm rejection of, any unconstitutional change of government, in accordance with the Union’s core norma- tive instruments, including the Constitutive Act of the African Union (2000), the Lomé Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (2000), the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), and the Ezulwini Framework (2009).
The Chairperson takes note of the Joint Statement on the Post-Election Situation issued on 26 November 2025 by the Heads of the African Union Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum.
The Chairperson stresses the imperative of respecting the ongoing electoral process and upholding constitutional order, in line with the mandate of the National Electoral Commission (CNE), the sole institution legally empowered to proclaim official election results in the country.
He calls for the immediate and unconditional release of President Embaló and all de- tained officials, and urges all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in order to prevent any further deterioration of the situation.
He reaffirms the African Union’s readiness, working in close coordination with ECOWAS and other key international partners, to support all efforts aimed at restoring stability and safeguarding democratic processes through dialogue and legally grounded mecha- nisms.
Finally, the Chairperson reiterates the African Union’s steadfast support and solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau during this critical period, and its commitment to ac- companying them on the path toward peace, stability, and democratic consolidation.
