Page Meta Presidência da República da Guiné-Bissau

Election campaigning (file photo)

The African Union (AU) has issued a strong condemnation of the November 26 military coup in Guinea-Bissau, just as the country was on the verge of announcing the results of Sunday’s presidential vote.

In a statement, the AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, reiterated the body’s "zero tolerance and unequivocal rejection of any unconstitutional change of government," while calling for the immediate release of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and all detained officials.

Earlier, a group of army officers announced the suspension of the country’s electoral process, declaring that they were taking control "until further notice."