UN Secretary-Normal António Guterres is “deeply involved by the unfolding occasions,” his spokesperson stated in a assertion late on Thursday.
“He strongly condemns the coup d’état perpetrated by parts of the navy and any try to violate constitutional order.”
He pressured that disregarding “the desire of the individuals who peacefully solid their vote in the course of the 23 November basic elections constitutes an unacceptable violation of democratic rules.”
Restore constitutional order
The Secretary-Normal known as for the “fast and unconditional restoration of constitutional order,” in addition to the discharge of all detained officers, together with electoral authorities, opposition leaders and different political actors.
He urged all stakeholders to train restraint, uphold the rule of legislation and resolve disputes by “peaceable and inclusive dialogue and authorized avenues.”
In accordance with media experiences, troopers toppled the civilian management in a swift energy seize earlier than official election outcomes may very well be introduced and put in Main-Normal Horta Inta-a as transitional president.
The ousted president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, later arrived in Senegal, the experiences added.
The coup marks the newest navy takeover in West and Central Africa, underscoring persistent regional instability.
Mr. Embaló addressing the UN Normal Meeting in September 2025.
Human rights issues
There are additionally fears of escalating rights violations following the coup, amid experiences of politically motivated arrests and extreme use of pressure by the navy. A minimum of 18 individuals – together with authorities officers, magistrates and opposition figures – have been arbitrarily detained, most reportedly held incommunicado.
The UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stated he was “deeply alarmed” by the experiences and known as for the “fast and unconditional launch” of these detained.
He additionally voiced concern over the momentary shutdown of impartial radio stations, disruptions to web entry and the reported use of stay ammunition to disperse peaceable protesters within the capital, Bissau.
“The navy authorities should guarantee they totally respect everybody’s elementary freedoms, together with the appropriate to peaceable meeting,” he stated, echoing the Secretary-Normal’s name for the swift restoration of constitutional order.
Regional reactions
The Secretary-Normal additionally reaffirmed the United Nations’ full help for the efforts of the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and the West African Elders Discussion board to safeguard democracy, promote stability and help Guinea-Bissau in concluding the electoral course of peacefully and returning swiftly to its democratic path.
The African Union additionally issued a pointy condemnation, with its Fee Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, reiterating the AU’s “zero tolerance” for unconstitutional modifications of presidency. He known as for the fast and unconditional launch of all detained officers and pressured that solely the Nationwide Electoral Fee has the authorized authority to proclaim election outcomes.
ECOWAS likewise condemned the navy takeover and introduced on Thursday that it has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making our bodies following an emergency summit of regional leaders.
