Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has condemned the recent coup in Guinea-Bissau as a “sham” and demanded the continuation of the country’s disrupted election.
The military takeover, which occurred before the announcement of presidential and legislative election results, has sparked regional outrage and condemnation from international bodies, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations.
Major-General Horta Inta-a, the newly installed transitional president, claimed the coup was necessary to prevent “narcotraffickers” from capturing Guinea-Bissau’s democracy.
However, the opposition coalition backing Fernando Dias, the challenger to incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, denounced the coup as a desperate attempt to block Dias’ expected victory.
ECOWAS has suspended Guinea-Bissau and plans to send a high-level mediation mission to restore constitutional order.
The international community, including Nigeria, the European Union, and the African Union, has also called for a return to democracy and the protection of election observers.
