Africa-Press – Liberia. West African leaders, meeting in an extraordinary virtual session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC), have strongly condemned the 26 November 2025 coup d’état in Guinea-Bissau, demanding the immediate restoration of constitutional rule and the unconditional release of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and other detained officials.
The high-level meeting—chaired by Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who also heads the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government—brought together presidents, foreign ministers and representatives from across the sub-region, alongside the African Union, United Nations, and the ECOWAS Commission.
Deep Concern Over Crisis Amid Ongoing Vote Count
The MSC said it is deeply concerned over the unfolding political crisis, especially occurring just days after Bissau-Guineans voted in presidential and parliamentary elections on 23 November 2025.
ECOWAS described the military takeover as an “illegal abortion of the democratic process” and rejected any attempt to legitimize the overthrow of the electoral process.
ECOWAS Demands Declaration of Election Results
The regional bloc demanded that the coup leaders respect the will of the people and allow the National Electoral Commission to immediately proceed with announcing the election results without interference.
Calls for Release of President Embaló and All Detainees
ECOWAS urged the junta to release all detained officials, including President Embaló, electoral staff, and political figures, warning that the coup leaders will be held individually and collectively accountable for the safety and security of all citizens and detainees.
Country Suspended; High-Level Mediation Mission Announced
In line with its 2001 Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, ECOWAS suspended Guinea-Bissau from all decision-making bodies until constitutional order is fully restored.
A High-Level Mediation Mission will be dispatched to Bissau, led by President Julius Maada Bio and comprising President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, President José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and the ECOWAS Commission President.
The mission is tasked with engaging coup leaders to ensure an immediate return to civilian and constitutional authority.
Military Urged to Return to Barracks
The MSC called on Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces to return to barracks and refrain from undermining democratic institutions. It further ordered the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to continue protecting state institutions.
ECOWAS Warns of Further Sanctions
The regional body said it remains fully seized of the situation and reserves the right to impose additional sanctions—as provided under ECOWAS democratic governance protocols—against all individuals or entities found responsible for disrupting the electoral process.
ECOWAS election observers and other international monitors were also assured of safe evacuation and protection amid the volatile situation. The communique underscores ECOWAS’ firm stance against unconstitutional changes of government, reiterating that the sovereignty and democratic will of the people of Guinea-Bissau must be upheld.
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