And also denounces the reported arrest and detention of the interim president, Raimundo Pereira, other government officials, as well as Carlos Gomes Junior, the former president and candidate in the second round of the presidential elections scheduled for 29 April.

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) strongly condemns the recent military coup in Guinea Bissau and also denounces the reported arrest and detention of the interim president, Raimundo Pereira, other government officials, as well as Carlos Gomes Junior, the former president and candidate in the second round of the presidential elections scheduled for 29 April.

The continent is again witnessing another seizure of power in Guinea Bissau just as it is trying to overcome the subversion of constitutional democracy by a mutiny of soldiers in Mali.

This phenomenon of the resurgence in military overthrow of legitimate and constitutional governments is a cause for concern and represents a challenge that must be urgently dealt with.

ITUC-Africa urges the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and members of the international community to once again rise up to this challenge by deploying all necessary and timely measures that will lead to the restoration of
constitutional and democratic order in Guinea Bissau.

ITUC-Africa further demands that all efforts be made to preserve and secure the physical and psychological integrity of the persons detained.