BISSAU, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Election observation missions of several African regional organizations on Wednesday voiced concern over the post-election situation in Guinea-Bissau, calling for restoring constitutional order and preserving national stability.
The call was made in a joint statement issued in the capital Bissau, which was jointly signed by Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, head of the African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission and former president of Mozambique; Issifu Baba Braimah Kamara, head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) election observation mission; and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, chairman of the West African Elders Forum and former president of Nigeria.
Guinea-Bissau launched its presidential and legislative elections on Sunday, with more than 960,000 registered voters set to choose a new head of state and 102 members of the National People's Assembly.
On Wednesday, armed forces operating under the name "the High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order" announced that they had assumed full powers of the country and imposed several emergency measures, with the ongoing electoral process immediately suspended.
The military said the move was intended to respond to the actions of certain politicians attempting to destabilize the country.
According to the joint statement, the three missions took note that the elections proceeded in an orderly and peaceful manner. The missions commended the civic engagement demonstrated by the Bissau-Guinean people and acknowledged the professionalism shown by polling staff, security forces, as well as representatives of candidates and political parties throughout the voting process.
The missions expressed "deep concern" over the announcement of the coup d'etat by the armed forces, which came shortly after the missions concluded meetings with the two main presidential candidates, both of whom had affirmed their commitment to respecting the will of the people.
Describing the attempted disruption as "regrettable," the missions said that it undermines the democratic gains achieved so far.
The statement condemned any attempt to undermine the democratic process and called on the AU and ECOWAS to take necessary measures to help restore constitutional order in the country.
The missions also voiced concern over the detention of senior officials, including those responsible for managing the electoral process. The statement urged the armed forces to immediately release the detained individuals to allow the electoral process to continue normally until its completion. ■
