Addis Ababa, July 17(ENA)-- The Interim Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Amara Essy has firmly condemned the coup in Sao Tome and Principe.

The coup runs contrary to the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as well as the relevant Declarations and decisions of the African Union, according to the communique.

According to an AU Communique issued on Wednesday, "The AU Commission recalls the Algiers decision and the Lome Declaration of Unconstitutional Changes of Government and its total rejection of any seizure of power by force or any other unconstitutional means."

The Interim Chairperson strongly appeald to the authors of the coup to free the detained personalities and to undertake all measures aimed at rapidly restoring constitutional order, the communique said.

(END)