<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Spanish government expressed its “concern” on Thursday, November 27, regarding the events unfolding in Guinea-Bissau and called for “calm, dialogue, and respect for the country’s democratic and constitutional norms.”</strong></h4> “Spain reiterates its firm commitment to democracy in Guinea-Bissau and hopes for a swift restoration of institutional normality, allowing for the resumption of the electoral process following the elections held on Sunday, November 23,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release. “The Spanish government is monitoring the situation of Spanish citizens in the country through the Spanish Embassy in Bissau, which is taking appropriate measures in response to the evolving situation,” it added. A military group led by General Horta N'ta seized power on Wednesday, one day before the publication of the results of the general elections held on Sunday. The military has suspended the ongoing electoral process, ordered the closure of the country's borders and airspace "until further notice," and decreed the closure of institutions and the suspension of activities by "social communication bodies." The coup leaders (who call themselves the "High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order") have appointed General N'ta, who until now served as Chief of Staff to outgoing President and reelection candidate Umaro Sissoco Embaló, as president of the new transitional government. The coup leaders have "immediately" dismissed President Embaló, who has been arrested. His main rival in the elections, Fernando Dias da Costa, has accused Embaló of having perpetrated the coup to avoid defeat. Both candidates had declared themselves the winners of the elections. General Horta N'ta justified the coup by citing the need to end the "intense activity of drug trafficking groups" that, "taking advantage of the electoral process, have attempted to manipulate and ultimately capture democracy itself." He asserted that the goal of the year-long transitional government is to end the "difficult and delicate" situation in the country and combat drug trafficking and corruption. The European Union has urged all parties to refrain from violence and has called for "the release of all those detained extrajudicially and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms." It has also called for "the swift restoration of constitutional order and the resumption of the electoral process." For his part, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AU), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau and demanded the restoration of constitutional order and the immediate release of ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and other detained leaders. He also affirmed that the African Union is prepared to cooperate with ECOWAS and other international partners to restore stability in the country.
