ECOWAS Suspends Guinea-Bissau After Military Takeover

By DAVID JOHN-FLUKE

ECOWAS has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies following a military coup that halted the country’s electoral process and removed President Umaro Embaló from power.

The suspension was announced after an emergency meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, which condemned the coup and expressed concern over the escalating political crisis. The bloc said the move violates its 2001 protocol on democracy and called for an immediate restoration of constitutional order.

ECOWAS demanded that the military allow the National Electoral Commission to release results from the 23 November elections, release all detained officials — including President Embaló and electoral staff — and ensure the safety of international observers. It also rejected any attempt to legitimise the military takeover.

The crisis deepened earlier this week when soldiers shut down the electoral process, sealed borders, imposed a curfew, and installed former army chief Horta Inta-A as transitional president. Embaló has since fled to Senegal.

In response, ECOWAS announced a high-level mediation mission led by the presidents of Togo, Cabo Verde and Senegal, alongside the ECOWAS Commission. The bloc also urged Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces to return to the barracks while its stabilisation mission continues to protect state institutions.