Addis Ababa, 19 April 2012: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, has learnt about the signing, on 18 April 2012, between the “Military Command” and political parties of the minority parliamentary opposition of an “Agreement” establishing a “National Transitional Council”supposed to replace the constitutional institutions against which the coup d’état of 12 April 2012 was carried out.

The Chairperson of the Commission recalls his own communiqués of 13 and 14 April 2012, as well as the decision of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU of 17 April 2012, which strongly condemned the coup d’état that took place in Guinea Bissau on 12 April 2012 and demanded the immediate restoration of constitutional order. He also recalls the similar statements made by the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS), the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the United Nations.

 

The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that the so-called“Agreement” does not meet the exigencies of the AU instruments relating to the restoration of constitutional order, as reiterated by the PSC, and constitutes a vain attempt to “legitimize”the coup d’état. The AU rejects this “Agreement”, and reiterates the demand for the restoration of constitutional order and the release of the political personalities sequestrated by the said “Military Command”, as well as for the conclusion of the electoral process.

 

The Chairperson of the Commission urges the partners of Africa to continue to support the efforts being made by ECOWAS, the CPLP, the UN and the AU, for the immediate and effective restoration of constitutional order.

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