Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau. Coup d’etat in Guinea-Bissau: UN Secretary General calls for return of constitutional order International Law
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern about developments in Guinea-Bissau. He strongly condemned the coup d’état carried out by a group of military officers, as well as any attempts to undermine the constitutional order in the country.
According to a statement released by the press service of the UN chief, ignoring the will of citizens who voted peacefully in the general elections on November 23 is a “gross violation of the democratic process.” Guterres called for the immediate and unconditional restoration of the constitutional order and the release of all detained officials – including election organizers, opposition leaders and other political figures.
The Secretary-General stressed the need to exercise maximum restraint, respect the rule of law and respect the will of the people, while acting strictly within the framework of international human rights law. All differences, he noted, must be resolved through legal mechanisms and through peaceful and inclusive dialogue.
António Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s full support for the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the West African Elders’ Forum aimed at protecting democracy, strengthening stability and the peaceful conclusion of the electoral process, as well as the early return of Guinea-Bissau towards a democratic path.