UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order in the country. This was reported by Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for the head of the global organization.
"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned with the unfolding situation in Guinea-Bissau. He strongly condemns the military coup that took place in the country," Dujarric's press release states. "The Secretary-General calls for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order and for the release of all detained officials."
Guterres also stressed that disregarding the will of the people, who peacefully voted in the country's general elections on November 23, constitutes "an unacceptable breach of democratic principles." He urgently called on all stakeholders to "exercise maximum restraint, uphold democratic institutions and respect the rule of law." In the Secretary-General's view, disputes must be resolved "through peaceful and inclusive dialogue and through legal means."
On November 26, the military seized power in Guinea-Bissau in a coup d'état, ousting President Sissoco Embaló. The military announced that it had suspended the work of all state institutions and that full power had been transferred to the hands of the Supreme Military Command for the Restoration of Order. Major General Horta Inta-a was appointed as its head; he also took an oath on November 27 and was inaugurated as the interim President of Guinea-Bissau.
The military also ordered a halt to the vote count for the recently held presidential and parliamentary elections. The electoral commission had been scheduled to announce the results on November 28. Sissoco Embaló, who was seeking re-election for a second term, had participated in the presidential elections.
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Based on materials from TASS