The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Thursday suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies following a military takeover that shook the country barely days after its presidential election. The suspension came after an extraordinary virtual meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC), attended by Heads of State and Government and chaired by Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio.
The regional bloc said it was “deeply concerned” by the latest political crisis in Guinea-Bissau, a country long troubled by coups, attempted coups and chronic political instability. The takeover on Wednesday has once again placed the small Portuguese-speaking nation in the spotlight, raising fears about democratic backsliding in West Africa.
During the meeting, ECOWAS leaders described the events of 26 November 2025 as a “coup d’état” and condemned it strongly. They insisted that the will of the people, expressed during the November 23 presidential election, must not be overturned by force. The bloc also rejected any attempt by the coup leaders or their allies to give legitimacy to the military action.
One of the key demands from the meeting was the immediate and unconditional release of all detained officials. These include President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, members of the National Electoral Commission, electoral staff, and other political stakeholders who were arrested during the takeover.
ECOWAS also called on the military to allow the electoral commission to publish the official results of the presidential election. According to the bloc, voters had shown “resilience” by coming out in large numbers to participate, and their votes must be respected.
President Bio, who chaired the session, condemned the military’s actions and warned against efforts to derail Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process. “We cannot allow the illegal abortion of a democratic process,” he said. Bio noted that West Africans, especially the people of Guinea-Bissau, deserved full protection of their constitutional rights after participating peacefully in the polls.
ECOWAS placed full responsibility for the safety of citizens on the coup leaders. It urged them to protect public and private property and to prevent the situation from deteriorating into violence or chaos. This call reflects long-standing concerns across West Africa, where military takeovers have led to instability, clashes and widespread fear among civilians.
In addition, the regional bloc raised alarm over the safety of its election observers and international partners currently in Guinea-Bissau. ECOWAS said its personnel must be protected and that the military authorities must guarantee their evacuation and safe passage if necessary.
The Council cited the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance as the basis for suspending Guinea-Bissau from all decision-making bodies. This protocol allows the bloc to sanction member states where democracy is threatened or constitutional rule is broken. Suspension means Guinea-Bissau cannot take part in any ECOWAS meetings or influence regional decisions until the situation is resolved.
This is not the first time ECOWAS has taken such action. In recent years, the bloc has suspended several countries—including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger—following military coups. These suspensions are part of a broader effort by ECOWAS to discourage unconstitutional power grabs, which have increased across the region since 2020.
To help resolve the crisis, ECOWAS announced that its Chair will lead a high-level mission to Guinea-Bissau. The delegation will include Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, Cabo Verde’s President José Maria Neves, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission.
This mission is expected to engage with both the military authorities and political actors in Bissau, with the hope of restoring constitutional order as quickly as possible. The presence of these leaders signals the seriousness with which the bloc views the crisis.
The MSC also urged the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces to immediately return to their barracks and respect their constitutional responsibilities. In many West African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, the military has historically played a strong political role. ECOWAS has long pushed for such militaries to remain professional and stay away from politics.
The Council further directed the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in the country to continue protecting national institutions. This stabilisation mission was deployed in Guinea-Bissau in previous years to help maintain peace and support democratic transitions.
Guinea-Bissau has a long history of political instability. Since its independence from Portugal in 1973, it has experienced multiple coups, power struggles and armed uprisings. Military influence has remained strong, and elected governments have often clashed with the armed forces.
President Embaló himself survived a coup attempt in 2022, after which ECOWAS strengthened its stabilisation mission in the country. Though Guinea-Bissau has held elections, disputes over political authority and military interference have continued to disrupt governance.
The latest coup adds to a troubling trend in West Africa. Since 2020, eight countries in the region have witnessed military interventions or attempted coups, leading to growing international concern. Analysts say these repeated breakdowns in democratic rule risk undermining regional stability and development.
In its communiqué, ECOWAS warned that it may activate additional measures permitted under its protocols. This includes sanctions against individuals or groups responsible for the disruption of Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process.
Sanctions could involve travel bans, asset freezes, or restrictions on financial transactions. While such measures are aimed at pressuring coup leaders, their effectiveness has been debated, especially in cases where juntas remain defiant.
However, ECOWAS says it remains committed to ensuring that democratic governance is restored. The bloc emphasized that it is monitoring the situation closely and will not hesitate to take further steps to defend constitutional rule in Guinea-Bissau.
For many citizens in the region, the events in Guinea-Bissau are a reminder of the fragile state of democracy in West Africa. As ECOWAS continues to push back against coups, its ability to enforce its decisions will be watched closely. The coming days will likely determine whether the military authorities in Bissau will negotiate with regional leaders or dig in deeper.
