ECOWAS Slams Indefinite Suspension on Guinea-Bissau Following Military Coup

By Tgnews Reporter 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has indefinitely suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies and strongly condemned Wednesday’s military coup, describing it as a “grave threat” to the country’s fragile democracy.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual summit late Thursday, chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, the bloc demanded the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order and the release of detained President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

“The Authority condemns in the strongest terms the coup d’état perpetrated on 26 November 2025 and calls for the unconditional restoration of constitutional order without delay,” the statement read.

ECOWAS leaders rejected “any arrangements that perpetuate the illegal abortion of the democratic process and the subversion of the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau.” The bloc further insisted that coup leaders allow the National Electoral Commission to declare the results of the 23 November presidential election without interference.

The coup, led by army chief of staff General Horta N’Tam, came just three days after the second round of presidential elections and as provisional results were about to be announced. Soldiers stormed the presidential palace on Wednesday, detained President Embalo and several senior officials, and suspended the electoral process.

General N’Tam was subsequently sworn in to lead a one-year transitional authority, declaring the creation of a “High Command” to govern the country.

ECOWAS warned the coup leaders that they would be held “individually and collectively responsible” for the safety of President Embalo and all other detainees, as well as for the protection of citizens and residents.

A high-level mediation delegation, comprising the ECOWAS Chair and the presidents of Togo, Cabo Verde, and Senegal, is scheduled to travel to Bissau in the coming days to press for the full restoration of constitutional rule.

The bloc also directed its Stabilisation Support Mission already deployed in Guinea-Bissau to continue protecting state institutions, while reaffirming that it “reserves the right to use all options” under its protocols, including targeted sanctions, against those responsible for derailing democracy.

The African Union echoed ECOWAS’s condemnation on Thursday, demanding the “immediate and unconditional” release of President Embalo. The European Union called for a swift return to constitutional order and resumption of the electoral process.

President Embalo, who was flown to neighbouring Senegal on Thursday aboard a military aircraft, is reported to be “safe and sound,” according to Dakar authorities.

The takeover has deepened political uncertainty in the small West African nation, which has suffered four successful coups and numerous attempts since independence from Portugal in 1974.

In Bissau on Thursday, markets remained closed and military patrols were visible on major streets as residents stayed largely indoors.

The coup has also sparked conflicting claims over the election outcome. Opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa told AFP he believed he had won the vote and alleged the military action had been “organised by Mr Embalo” to prevent his defeat – a charge the detained president has rejected.

ECOWAS leaders praised Guinea-Bissau’s citizens for their “resilience and commitment to democracy” during the recent polls and vowed to stand with them until constitutional rule is fully restored.