Why did the African Union suspend Guinea-Bissau after the 2012 military coup?

The African Union (AU) suspended Guinea-Bissau in April 2012 following a military coup that occurred on April 12 of that year.12

The coup took place shortly before a scheduled runoff presidential election, resulting in the arrest of interim president Raimundo Pereira, presidential candidate Carlos Gomes Júnior, and other government officials. The military leaders claimed their actions were necessary to prevent foreign aggression and to counter plans to downsize the country's military. The AU, along with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), widely condemned the seizure of power as an unconstitutional act. The suspension remained in place until June 2014, when the AU lifted it following the successful completion of democratic elections.12