The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies following Wednesday’s military takeover in the country.
The decision was announced late Thursday by the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) after an emergency virtual meeting chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who also heads the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
According to the MSC, the suspension is in line with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001) and will remain in place “until the restoration of full and effective constitutional order in the country.”
Military officers seized power barely three days after Guinea-Bissau’s disputed presidential and legislative elections, halting the announcement of results, shutting the country’s borders, and suspending the electoral process. President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, reportedly in a strong position to win Sunday’s election, was among those arrested.
ECOWAS condemned the coup “in the strongest terms,” rejecting any arrangement aimed at legitimising the disruption of the democratic process. The regional bloc demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained officials, including President Embalo, election personnel, and other political figures.
The MSC also insisted that the military respect the will of the people by allowing the electoral commission to announce the official results without delay.
Meanwhile, the coup leaders have named the army chief of staff, General Horta N’Tam, as transitional head of state for one year.
