The African Union has condemned the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau and demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and all detained officials.
AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, made the call in a statement on Thursday, saying the continental body “unequivocally condemns” the coup.
The military seized power on Wednesday afternoon, with General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announcing that soldiers had taken control “until further notice”.
N’Canha claimed the action followed the discovery of a plot involving “drug lords” and plans to bring weapons into the country to disrupt constitutional order.
The junta immediately suspended the entire electoral process, shut down all media broadcasts, imposed a nationwide curfew and closed land, air and sea borders.
Borders were reopened on Thursday morning, according to General Lassana Mansali.
President Embaló, who was widely expected to win Sunday’s presidential election, is reportedly being held inside a building near military headquarters alongside the chief of staff and the interior minister.
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