Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. As the political crisis deepens in Guinea-Bissau, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, has arrived in Bissau to hold direct talks with the country’s military leadership.
The visit follows a wave of international concern after a faction of the armed forces seized power late last month.
The President’s mission comes days after he convened an Extraordinary Virtual Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to discuss the unfolding situation. The emergency session was held after the 26 November coup, during which a faction of the military took control of key state institutions in Guinea-Bissau. The coup occurred just as the nation was preparing to announce the results of its tightly contested presidential election.
The military detained incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló along with senior government officials, prompting swift condemnation from regional and international partners. ECOWAS described the takeover as a “serious breach of constitutional order” and warned that the region cannot afford a resurgence of military rule.
During the virtual summit, President Bio emphasized the bloc’s unwavering commitment to democratic governance. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained political leaders and urged the military to restore civilian authority without delay. ECOWAS leaders also discussed possible interventions, including diplomatic engagement, sanctions, and support for rapid mediation.
In Bissau today, President Bio is expected to push for a clear transitional roadmap, stressing that political stability in Guinea-Bissau is essential for regional peace and security.
His visit signals ECOWAS’s renewed determination to reverse the growing trend of coups in West Africa and to reinforce the bloc’s zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional changes of government.
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