Law Professor at the University of Ghana, Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, has criticized the African Union for its failure to promote good governance and democracy across the continent. His comments come in the wake of Wednesday’s coup d’état in Guinea-Bissau, where a group of military officers claimed to have seized control amid reports that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló had been arrested.
Witnesses in Bissau reported hearing gunfire earlier in the day, around 13:00 GMT, though it was not immediately clear who was involved or if there were any casualties. Later, General Denis N’Canha, head of the military household at the presidential palace, read a statement declaring a takeover. He announced that officers had formed the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and urged the population to “remain calm.”
the BBC report, checkpoints were erected across Bissau, and the streets were deserted ahead of a curfew set to begin at 19:00 GMT.
The West African nation was awaiting the results of Sunday’s presidential election, which were expected on Thursday. Both Embaló and his closest rival, Fernando Dias, had claimed victory.
Reacting to the development, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua expressed no surprise, stating that “the writings were on the wall.”
Shortly after the news broke, the government of Ghana condemned the coup in a strongly worded statement, describing it as a “direct assault on democracy” and a dangerous attempt to overturn the will of the people. Ghana called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order, insisting that any electoral disputes must be resolved through peaceful, transparent, and legally recognized channels—not through force.
However, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua believes such responses are too little, too late. He places the blame squarely on the African Union for failing to uphold democracy on the continent and on ECOWAS for sitting on its hands while the situation unfolded
