Amanze Chinonye
Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have condemned in the strongest terms Wednesday’s coup d’état in Guinea-Bissau, calling for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the unconditional release of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
In an extraordinary virtual summit held Thursday and chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) reviewed the rapidly deteriorating situation following the 26 November military takeover.
The regional bloc expressed alarm that the coup came just days after Bissau-Guineans turned out for presidential and parliamentary elections on 23 November.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPresidents from Cabo Verde, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and senior representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, The Gambia and Togo attended the emergency meeting. Also present were the ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, African Union representatives, the UN Special Representative for West Africa, and Guinea-Bissau’s Foreign Minister.
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ECOWAS dismissed the military action as an “illegal abortion of the democratic process,” insisting that the National Electoral Commission must be allowed to declare the results of the 23 November polls without further delay. It demanded the immediate and unconditional release of President Embaló, electoral officials, and all other detainees.
The bloc held the coup leaders “individually and collectively responsible” for the safety of citizens, residents, and detainees, and called for the secure evacuation of ECOWAS and other international election observers currently in the country.
As part of its response, ECOWAS announced the suspension of Guinea-Bissau from all decision-making bodies until constitutional order is restored. It also ordered the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau to continue safeguarding state institutions.
To fast-track mediation efforts, ECOWAS mandated a high-level delegation led by President Bio and including Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, Cabo Verde’s President José Maria Neves, and Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The mission is expected to engage the coup leaders directly.
The regional body urged Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces to return to barracks and warned that it may invoke additional sanctions under its democracy and good governance protocols should the junta fail to comply.
ECOWAS said it will remain fully seized of the situation as tension continues to mount in the small West African nation.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
