The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUCAfrica)
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.

Issued in Lome, Togo on the 17th April, 2012