The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS has suspended Guinea Bissau, following the recent overthrow of the civilian government by the country’s military junta.
The action will remain in force until restoration of full and effective constitutional order in the country.
The Extraordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS took the decision under the Chairmanship of Julius Maada BIO, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, which met virtually at the level of Heads of State and Government on Thursday to review the situation in the Republic of Guinea- Bissau
The council sought immediate and unconditional release of all detained officials, in particular President Umaro Sissoco Embalo as well as the electoral officials and all other political figures, including the safe evacuation of ECOWAS and all other international election observers.
The council urged the Armed forces of Guinea Bissau to return to barracks and to maintain their constitutional role.
In a communique made available to journalists on Friday, the MSC also mandated the Chair of the Authority to lead a High-Level Mediation Mission made up of President of the Council of Togo, His Excellency Faure Gnassingbe; President of Cabo Verde, His Excellency Jose Maria Pereira Neves; and President of Senegal, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye, accompanied by the President of Commission to Guinea Bissau to engage the leaders of the coup with a view to ensuring the full restoration of constitutional order.
“The MSC holds the leaders of the coup both individually and collectively responsible for the protection of life and property of all citizens and residents of Guinea Bissau and for the security and safety of all detainees.
“The MSC calls on the leaders of the coup to guarantee the safety and facilitate the evacuation and safe passage of ECOWAS and all other international election observers.”
The communique reads in parts; “The MSC orders the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to continue to help protect the institutions of Guinea-Bissau.
“The MSC decides to remain seized of the situation in Guinea Bissau and reserves the right to use all options provided for by the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the 2012 Supplementary Act on Sanctions, including sanctions on all entities deemed culpable of disrupting the electoral and democratic process in Guinea Bissau.
“The MSC considered the report of the President of the Commission on the situation in Guinea- Bissau. The MSC expressed its deep concern with the unfolding political crisis inGuinea Bissau, especially at a time when Bissau Guineans have demonstrated resilience and commitment to democracy by participating actively in the Presidential and parliamentary elections held on 23 November, 2025.
“The MSC Condemn in the strongest terms the coup d’etat perpetrated on 26 November 2025 and calls for the unconditional restoration of constitutional order without delay.
“It rejects any arrangements that perpetuate the illegal abortion of the democratic process and the subversion of the will of the people of Guinea Bissau.
“The MSC demands that the leaders of the coup respect the will of the people and allow the National Electoral Commission to proceed without delay with the declaration of the results of the elections of 23 November, 2025.”
The meeting had in attendance H.E. Jose Maria Pereira Neves, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde; H. E. John Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Joseph N. Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia; H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu; President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal; H.E. Julius Maada BIO, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; H.E. Tiemoko Meyliet KONE, Vice President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire; H.E. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin; H.E. Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia; H.E. Yackoley Kokou JOHNSON, Minister of State in charge of Cooperation and Togolese Abroad of the Togolese Republic.