International outcry as UN, ECOWAS condemn Guinea-Bissau coup

DAKAR – The United Nations, alongside key regional powers and blocs, has issued a forceful condemnation of the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau, labeling it an unacceptable assault on democracy.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres led the international rebuke, expressing deep concern over the unfolding situation. In a statement on X, he strongly condemned the military’s actions and any attempt to disrupt the constitutional order.

“The disregard of the will of the people who peacefully cast their vote constitutes an unacceptable violation of democratic principles,” Guterres stated, referencing the general elections held just days before the coup.

He reaffirmed the UN’s full support for safeguarding democracy and assisting Guinea-Bissau in swiftly returning to a peaceful electoral process.

The Secretary-General also demanded the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the release of all detained officials.

The coup has triggered a swift response from West African regional bodies. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies on Friday, a move immediately mirrored by the African Union (AU).

Individual nations have also voiced strong criticism. The Nigerian government stated the coup undermines regional commitments to constitutional rule, while Ghana expressed “profound concern” and “deep dissatisfaction at the brazen attempt to overturn the will of the people.”

The unified international response underscores the growing pressure on the coup leaders to reverse their actions and respect the outcome of the recent polls.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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