Coup: ECOWAS Suspends Guinea-Bissau, Seeks Restoration Of Constitutional Order

GBISSAU-POLITICS-ELECTION-UNREST-COUP — Guinea Bissau Army general Horta N'Tam (C) poses with other military leaders after being sworn in as the transition leader and the leader of the High Command in Bissau on November 27, 2025. The Guinea-Bissau military appointed a general as the country's new leader Thursday for one year, a day after seizing power and arresting the president of the coup-prone west African nation. "I have just been sworn in to lead the High Command," General Horta N'Tam declared after taking the oath of office in a ceremony at the military's headquarters, AFP journalists observed. Dozens of heavily armed soldiers were deployed at the scene. (Photo by Patrick MEINHARDT / AFP)

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies over a coup in the West African country.

ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) took the decision after an emergency meeting late Thursday.

“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,” the MSC said at the end of the virtual meeting under the Chairmanship of Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

Military officers took over power in Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday, about three days after the country’s disputed presidential and legislative elections.

The officers immediately suspended the nation’s electoral process and closed its borders. They also stopped the announcement of the election results.

But the ECOWAS MSC has condemned the coup, faulting the arrest of persons including President Umaro Embalo, who had been favoured to win Sunday’s election.

“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 said, adding that “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 ECOWAS leaders demanded the military officers respect the will of the people and allow the country’s electoral body to announce the election results without delay.

It asked “for the 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”.

In the meantime, the coup leaders have appointed the chief of staff of the army, General Horta N’Tam, as the country’s new leader for one year.

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Ojay Matthew

Ojay Matthew is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in broadcasting and more than a decade in online publishing. Renowned for his compelling storytelling and sharp editorial insight, Ojay has built a reputation for delivering credible, engaging, and impactful news content across multiple platforms.

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