Luanda — The African Union (AU) decided, on Friday, to suspend, with immediate effect, Guinea-Bissau’s participation in all the organization’s activities, following the military coup d’état that took place on 26 November.
The decision is contained in the final communiqué of the 1315th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), held in an emergency session.
According to the document, the suspension covers all AU bodies and institutions and will remain in force until constitutional order is reestablished in the country.
The measure is based on the legal instruments of the continental organization, with emphasis on the CPS Creation Protocol and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
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The CPS expressed full support for the communiqué of the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, held on 27 November, as well as the note issued by the President of the AU Commission on the day of the coup, which strongly condemned the seizure of power by the military.
The body also welcomed the joint statement released by the electoral missions of the AU, ECOWAS and the West African Forum of the Wise on the post-election situation.
The Council demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained electoral officials and political figures, in order to guarantee their safety and dignity.
He further urged AU Member States and the international community to reject any attempt to legitimize the regime installed by force.
The organization called on Guinean military leaders to respect national laws and allow the National Elections Commission to complete the electoral process, including the proclamation of the results and the inauguration of the winner.
The CPS warned that further military interference in the political process will lead to the imposition of specific sanctions against everyone involved in the coup.
At the same time, he praised the peaceful behavior of citizens during the electoral period, which he classified as a sign of democratic maturity and the basis for the country’s stability.
The Council tasked the AU Commission to work with ECOWAS, CPLP and other international partners to support Guinea-Bissau for a rapid return to constitutional normality.
Support should include national dialogue and institutional reforms.
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The statement asks the perpetrators of the coup to guarantee security and facilitate the withdrawal of international election observers present in the country.
The AU will also support the strengthening of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau, to ensure the protection of State institutions and prevent acts of violence.
The AU Center for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, based in Cairo, was instructed to maintain contacts with Guinean institutions, in order to support projects that prevent a return to a new political crisis.
The CPS also recommended the creation of a mechanism to monitor the situation in the country, in coordination with ECOWAS, and expressed gratitude to former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi for the role he played as head of the AU electoral observation mission.
The organization announced the holding of a meeting at the highest level, in February, on the sidelines of the next AU Summit, to analyze the growing recurrence of unconstitutional changes of government on the continent.
The AU reaffirmed that it will remain attentive and committed to the reestablishment of constitutional legality in Guinea-Bissau.