The African Union (AU) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from its activities following a military coup, reaffirming its stance against unconstitutional changes of government.
In a resolution adopted on Friday by the AU Peace and Security Council, the organization declared it maintains “zero tolerance on unconstitutional changes of government” and directed the “immediate suspension of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau from participating in all AU activities, organs, and institutions until constitutional order is restored.”
Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations, has a long history of political instability, including coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal over 50 years ago. The country, with a population of about 2.2 million, is also a known hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, a factor experts say has contributed to its recurring political crises.
The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, also suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies on Thursday until the constitutional order is reinstated.
The military takeover occurred on Wednesday, shortly after presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday, in which both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias claimed victory. Following the coup, Embaló fled to neighboring Senegal on a flight arranged by the Senegalese government.
After the takeover, Guinea-Bissau’s military high command appointed former army chief of staff, Gen. Horta Inta-a, as head of the military government, which is expected to oversee a one-year transitional period, according to a broadcast on state television.
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