Africa’s Constitutions embody our collective desire for justice, accountable governance, and development. Coups destabilise societies, reverse social and economic progress, and expose people, especially workers, to insecurity and repression. The people of Guinea-Bissau deserve stability and leadership rooted in democratic legitimacy, not military adventurism.

At our recent ITUC-Africa Peace and Security Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, earlier this month, trade unions from every corner of the continent declared unequivocally:
No more coups. No more renegade constitutions. No more sham elections. No more attacks on trade unions and human rights. Leadership changes must occur only through constitutional and democratic processes.

We recognise that the increasing frequency of coups across the continent reflects public frustration with leaders who fail to deliver on the promises of democracy. This must be a wake-up call: it is time for leadership that advances decent work, equality, transparency, and social justice. Democracy must serve the people—or risk losing the people.

We emphasised the need for Africa to strengthen, ensure, and secure the sanctity of the rule of law. We are convinced that the rule of law will engender multiparty participatory democracy. It is critical that laws are respected and that mechanisms for interpreting and enforcing them are robust, forthright, and consistent in their delivery. Today, most citizens do not trust our legal/judicial system because of delayed, denied, and undermined justice. These must change.

ITUC-Africa, therefore, calls upon:

● The coup leaders in Guinea-Bissau are to immediately restore constitutional order, guarantee the safety of all citizens, and respect fundamental freedoms, including trade union rights;

● The African Union and ECOWAS to take decisive and coordinated action to defend democratic governance, including investigating the circumstances surrounding this coup, which took place as election results are being collated and released;

● All labour movements and civil society actors should stand united against all forms of undemocratic rule and remain steadfast in protecting the democratic space.

We will continue to resist authoritarianism, defend constitutionalism, and promote governance systems that empower our people.

Democracy must not only stand in Africa — it must grow and deliver for the people and their communities.

In solidarity,

Signed

Akhator Joel Odigie
General Secretary
ITUC-Africa
Lomé, Togo