The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies following the successful coup in the country.
The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC), which expressed deep concern over the unfolding political crisis.
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“The MSC decides, in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance 2001 (A/SP/12/01), to suspend Guinea-Bissau from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies until the restoration of full and effective constitutional order in the country,” the statement announcing the decision of the bloc read.
The MSC also condemned the coup in the strongest terms, emphasising Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to democracy, as demonstrated by the citizens’ active participation in the presidential and parliamentary elections held on Sunday.
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The body also called for the unconditional restoration of constitutional order and rejected any arrangements that subvert the democratic process or the will of the people.
The council demanded that the military leaders respect the electoral process, allow the National Electoral Commission to declare results without delay, and release all detained officials, including President Umaro Embaló, electoral officials, and other political figures.
The MSC further asked that the coup leaders guarantee the safe passage of international election observers, including those from ECOWAS.
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The Council said, “It rejects any arrangements that perpetuate the illegal abortion of the democratic process and the subversion of the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau.”
The MSC demanded that “the leaders of the coup respect the will of the people and allow the National Electoral Commission to proceed without delay with the declaration of the results of the elections of 23 November 2025.”
PREMIUM TIMES, on Wednesday, reported that a group of army officers in Guinea-Bissau announced the suspension of the country’s electoral process and declared that they were taking control “until further notice.”
The officials, who described themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” removed Mr Embalo from power, halted the electoral process, closed the country’s borders, and planned to enforce a curfew.
On Thursday, the soldiers swore in a military leader who had served as the Chief of Army Staff, Horta Inta-A, as the transitional President, while Mr Embalo fled to Senegal.
READ ALSO: Five things to know about Guinea-Bissau, the West African nation that just experienced a coup
The actions have drawn criticism across West Africa, with several governments and the subregional bloc calling for a return to constitutional order.
To facilitate this, ECOWAS announced that a high-level mediation mission will engage the coup leaders.
The mission will include President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, President José Neves of Cabo Verde, and President Bassirou Faye of Senegal, accompanied by the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The MSC also urged Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces to return to barracks and maintain their constitutional role, while the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) continues to protect national institutions.
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