The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected a transition programme announced by Guinea-Bissau’s military authorities, insisting on an immediate restoration of constitutional order and warning of targeted sanctions against those obstructing the process.
Guinea-Bissau’s Military High Command overthrew President Umaro Sissoco Embaló on November 26 and installed Major-General Horta Inta-a as interim president a day later. The takeover is the ninth coup in West and Central Africa within five years, heightening regional fears over democratic decline.
At its annual summit in Abuja on Sunday, ECOWAS leaders called for the unconditional release of all political detainees, including opposition figures, and demanded an inclusive, short-term transition.
“What ECOWAS leaders have resolved to do is to ensure that there is zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government,” said Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The bloc noted that Guinea-Bissau’s November 23 elections were judged free and transparent by ECOWAS observers, the African Union and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. It also mandated the ECOWAS chair to lead a high-level delegation to Bissau to engage the military leadership.
ECOWAS warned that failure to comply would trigger targeted sanctions against individuals or groups blocking the transition, urging the African Union and international partners to back its position.
The decision reinforces ECOWAS’ stated commitment to defending democratic governance and preventing further erosion of constitutional rule across West Africa.
