Addis ababa: The African Union (AU) announced the suspension of Guinea-Bissau's membership in all its bodies following the overthrow of outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

According to Qatar News Agency, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), stated during a press conference that the AU decided to "suspend with immediate effect" Guinea-Bissau's membership in all its bodies. This decision comes in the wake of a military coup that has destabilized the political landscape of the West African nation.

Meanwhile, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko criticized the coup in neighboring Guinea-Bissau, calling for the resumption of the stalled electoral process. The Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement confirming that President Embalo arrived in Dakar on a private plane. This relocation followed intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which condemned the coup and suspended Guinea-Bissau's membership.

ECOWAS further called on the armed forces to return to their barracks and announced plans to send a high-level mediation mission. This move is part of a broader effort to restore constitutional order and ensure the safety and release of political detainees.

The African Union had previously condemned the coup in Guinea-Bissau just three days after presidential and legislative elections. They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of President Embalo. The military took full control of the country last Wednesday, arresting President Embalo and suspending the electoral process. Results were initially scheduled to be announced on Thursday, but instead, General Horta Nta Naman was appointed as the country's interim president for a year.