The former head of state, Joaquim Chissano, on Tuesday called coups d'état in Africa a "setback for peace and democratization" on the continent, considering that the African Union (AU) must find solutions.

Noting that the solutions to the recent coups in Niger and Gabon depend on the abilities of the regional blocs in West and Central Africa respectively, Joaquim Chissano said that "the AU has to study [the phenomenon] to discourage the solution through a coup d'état".

Speaking to journalists after a public event in Chimoio, in the center of the country, Joaquim Chissano said that "military coups are a phenomenon that unfortunately goes against the decision of the African Union".

Quoted by Lusa, Chissano believes that coups should be discouraged so that there are no "unconstitutional changes of government".

"I think there is enough wisdom to return to peace," said the former Mozambican head of state.

On Monday, August 4, the coup leader in Gabon took office five days after a group of soldiers announced that they had seized power, shortly after the electoral commission declared Ali Bongo's victory in the presidential and legislative elections on August 26, which the opposition considered fraudulent.

The coup plotters claimed that the ballot was not transparent, credible or inclusive and accused the Gabonese government of governing in an "irresponsible and unpredictable" manner, thus damaging "social cohesion".