Africa-Press – Gambia. A coalition of West African human rights and civic organisations has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the international community to take urgent action to resolve the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau following the 26 November 2025 military coup.
In a joint statement issued on 21 January 2026, the organisations warned of worsening repression under the military junta led by Umaro Sissoco Embaló and condemned the continued obstruction of the inauguration of democratically elected president Fernando Dias da Costa.
The statement was signed by Afrikajom and Raddho of Senegal, the Popular Front and Space of Concertation of Guinea-Bissau, Africtivistes (Senegal), the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice of The Gambia, the Citizen Movement of Senegal, and the Solidarity Network for Democracy in West Africa of Ghana.
The groups noted that more than two months after the coup, key resolutions adopted by ECOWAS heads of state at their 14 December 2025 summit in Abuja remain unimplemented. These resolutions confirmed the election results, rejected any military-led transition, and demanded the unconditional release of political detainees.
“While ECOWAS and the international community remain lethargic, the junta continues to usurp the sovereignty of the Bissau-Guinean people and intensify repression,” the statement said.
According to the coalition, political leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, and ordinary citizens are facing arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and violence. Among those detained are Domingos Simões Pereira, President of the National People’s Assembly, and political analyst Augusto Nasambé. Reports also point to harsh detention conditions, restrictions on press freedom and violent dispersal of peaceful vigils.
The organisations further warned that Embaló maintains control over state institutions and is advancing a new constitution through what they described as an illegitimate National Transitional Council, a move they say entrenches military rule.
They urged ECOWAS to impose targeted and collective sanctions against those responsible for the coup and to ensure the immediate inauguration of President-elect Fernando Dias da Costa.
The coalition also called on the African Union, the United Nations, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the European Union to take coordinated measures to secure the release of all political prisoners and restore constitutional order.
“The delay in restoring democracy is unacceptable,” the statement said, warning that continued inaction could lead to further social, political and economic deterioration in Guinea-Bissau.
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