During an emergency virtual meeting on Thursday night, West African leaders strongly condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, demanding the swift restoration of constitutional rule and warning that the developments pose a serious threat to the nation’s fragile democracy.
ECOWAS announced the suspension of Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies until constitutional order is fully reinstated.
The Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, convened at the level of Heads of State and Government to address the rapidly worsening situation following the November 26 military takeover, which occurred just days after national elections on November 23.
Presidents of Cabo Verde, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone attended, alongside Côte d’Ivoire’s vice president, ministers from Benin, The Gambia, and Togo, and representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, African Union, UNOWAS, and Guinea-Bissau’s foreign ministry.
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray presented a report detailing the unfolding crisis, prompting the MSC to express deep concern over disruptions to the electoral process. Leaders praised the resilience of voters and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting democratic norms.
The Council “condemned in the strongest terms the coup d’état of 26 November 2025,” rejecting any attempt to legitimise the seizure of power and urging coup leaders to respect the will of the people by allowing the electoral commission to complete the release of results from the November 23 polls.
ECOWAS demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained officials, including President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, electoral officers, and other political figures. It warned that coup leaders would be held individually and collectively accountable for the safety of citizens and detainees.
The bloc also called for unimpeded access for ECOWAS and international observers and directed Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces to return to their barracks and uphold their constitutional obligations. The ECOWAS Stabilisation Mission was instructed to continue protecting key institutions.
A high-level mediation mission led by the ECOWAS chair—joined by the presidents of Togo, Cabo Verde, and Senegal—will travel to Bissau to press for a full restoration of constitutional rule. The communiqué stressed that ECOWAS “reserves the right to use all options,” including sanctions, against those responsible for derailing the democratic process.
The African Union also condemned the coup and called for Embalo’s release, while the European Union urged a rapid return to constitutional rule and the resumption of the electoral process.
The crisis escalated on Wednesday when armed soldiers detained President Embalo and halted the announcement of provisional results. Senegal later confirmed that Embalo had been evacuated safely to its territory.
The military has since named General Horta N’Tam, the army chief of staff, to lead a one-year transition. After being sworn in, N’Tam declared he would head the High Command during the interim.
Residents reported widespread shutdowns across the capital, with markets closed and soldiers patrolling major streets.
Guinea-Bissau has a long history of political instability, having suffered four coups and multiple attempts since independence in 1974.
