“Nothing justifies the suppression of democracy. Respect for human rights is only guaranteed in a democratic context,” states an official note from the party.
The Socialist Party (PS) expresses its concerns in line with those raised by the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and various African state organizations “regarding the unfortunate events of recent days.”
“The international community must commit to aiding the Guinean people, so the country can swiftly find institutional solutions that allow for full democratic living,” the socialists appeal.
The military junta that seized power in Guinea-Bissau appointed General Horta Inta-A as transitional president for one year, while the outgoing head of state, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, left the country for Senegal.
The military announced the suspension of the electoral process on the eve of releasing the results of the general elections held on November 23.
The elections took place without incident registration, but without the participation of the main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), and its candidate, Domingos Simões Pereira, who were excluded from the race and declared support for the opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa.
Simões Pereira was detained following the military junta’s announcement.
The opposition, which claimed victory in the presidential elections, denounces the military intervention as a maneuver orchestrated by the outgoing President to hinder the dissemination of electoral results.
The African Union (AU) announced today that it has “immediately suspended” Guinea-Bissau due to the military coup on Wednesday, which ousted the outgoing president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, until constitutional order is restored.
The Council’s resolution also urges the West African country’s military junta to “respect the law and the will of the people,” allowing the National Electoral Commission (CNE) to announce the election results – noted by the absence of key opposition figures – and refrain from “any further interference” in the country’s political processes.
Otherwise, it warned, the Council will impose specific sanctions against all actors involved in the coup.
In this context, the AU urged all member states and the international community to reject “this unconstitutional change of government” and “to refrain from any action that might confer legitimacy or support to the illegal regime” established in Guinea-Bissau.
