The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has removed Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making platforms following the military takeover that halted the country’s electoral process.
The regional bloc reached the decision during an emergency session of its Mediation and Security Council held late Thursday.
In its resolution, the council stated, “The MSC decides, in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance 2001 (A/SP/12/01), to suspend Guinea-Bissau from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies until the restoration of full and effective constitutional order in the country.”
ECOWAS condemned the coup and demanded that the constitutional authority be reinstated without conditions. It also dismissed any arrangement by the soldiers that would legitimise the seizure of power or derail the will of voters.
The bloc insisted that the junta must respect the election process by allowing the National Electoral Commission to announce the results of the 23 November polls. It further called for the release of all detained officials, including President Umaro Embaló, election workers and political figures.
READ MORE: Military Overthrows Democratic Government in Guinea-Bissau, Arrests President
Reiterating its position, the council noted, “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 council also demanded that election observers, including its own representatives, be granted unhindered movement and secure passage within the country.
As part of efforts to pressure the military authorities, ECOWAS announced a high-level mission to engage the coup leaders.
The delegation will consist of President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, President José Neves of Cabo Verde and President Bassirou Faye of Senegal, alongside the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The political crisis escalated on Wednesday when senior officers calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” announced that they had taken charge of the country.
They suspended the electoral process, sealed off national borders, imposed a curfew and removed Embaló from office.
By Thursday, the soldiers installed former army chief Horta Inta-A as head of a transitional authority, while Embaló fled to Senegal.
The situation has drawn widespread concern across the region, with fears that yet another military intervention could further weaken democratic institutions in West Africa.
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