Despite widespread condemnation, the coup leaders on Friday announced that Ilidio Vieira Te had been appointed both Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

The coup adds to the long-standing pattern of political instability in the country, which is known as a hub for cocaine trafficking and has a long history of military interference in politics.

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On Thursday, soldiers in Guinea-Bissau also installed Major-General Horta Inta-a as transitional president, one day after toppling the civilian government before the results of the weekend’s presidential and legislative elections could be announced.

The presidential race was between the incumbent, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and Fernando Dias, a 47-year-old political newcomer who had said he was on track to win.

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The African Union’s Peace and Security Council, in an emergency meeting held on Friday, also condemned the coup, calling it an unconstitutional change of government. It immediately suspended Guinea-Bissau from all AU activities until constitutional order is restored.

The opposition coalition backing Dias also denounced the coup, calling it an attempt to prevent the announcement of election results that would have confirmed Embaló’s defeat.

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Embaló arrived in Senegal on Thursday aboard a special flight after being assisted by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, according to a statement from Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.