The UN Security Council has called for immediate restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau, as well as the reinstatement of the country’s legitimate government.
The soldiers in Guinea-Bissau had seized power earlier this month.
The putsch came ahead of the presidential run-off election that was slated for April 22, between Prime Minister Carlos Junior and a former president, Kumba Yala.
The country has a history of coups, misrule and political instability since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
The 15-member Security Council, in a statement at the end of its meeting on Saturday, also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of some political leaders currently detained.
These are the interim President, Raimundo Pereira, Junior and some other officials.
According to the council, the release of the officials would enable the completion of the presidential and legislative elections.
The council noted that it was prepared to consider possible further measures, including targeted sanctions against the perpetrators and supporters of the military coup, should the situation remain unresolved.
It also reiterated its strong condemnation of the coup.
Furthermore, it expressed deep concern over reports of violent repression of peaceful demonstrations, looting, restriction of freedom of movement, the arbitrary detention of civilians and demanded their release.
The Security Council said it welcomed and supported the engagement of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
It also encouraged closer co-ordination of their efforts to restore constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau.
The Council, however, requested Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who had also condemned the coup, to keep it informed of developments in the West African country.
It also wanted Ban to submit a report, by the end of April, on the re-establishment of the constitutional order there.
It stated that the UN Secretariat was in close consultation on the situation in the country with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Guinea-Bissau, Joseph Mutaboba, and the UN team on the ground.
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