The Economic Community of West African States has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its activities following the recent military takeover, insisting on the immediate restoration of constitutional order.
The regional bloc also announced the formation of a high-level Mediation Mission, led by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, to engage directly with the coup leaders and facilitate a return to democratic governance.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, attended by leaders of all member states, the bloc strongly condemned the coup, which occurred on November 26, 2025, and expressed grave concern over the political turmoil in the country.
“The MSC condemns in the strongest terms the coup d’état perpetrated in Guinea-Bissau and calls for the unconditional restoration of constitutional order without delay,” the statement read.
“We reject any arrangements that undermine the democratic process and the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau.”
The communiqué also demanded that the coup leaders respect the outcome of the November 23 presidential and parliamentary elections and allow the National Electoral Commission to announce the results without interference.
ECOWAS has called for the release of all detained civilian leaders, including President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, electoral officials, and other political figures.
It urged the military to return to barracks and maintain their constitutional role, while ensuring the safety of citizens and international observers.
President Bio’s mediation team will include Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, Cabo Verde’s President José Maria Pereira Neves, and Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, along with the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
“The MSC holds the coup leaders individually and collectively responsible for the protection of life and property in Guinea-Bissau and calls on them to facilitate the safe passage of ECOWAS and other international election observers,” the communiqué added.
The bloc emphasized that it reserves the right to apply sanctions under the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the 2012 Supplementary Act on Sanctions if the electoral and democratic process continues to be disrupted.
