The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its activities following the military coup on November 26, 2025, demanding the immediate restoration of full and effective constitutional order.
The decision came at the end of an emergency meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC), attended by leaders from all member states. ECOWAS strongly condemned the coup and expressed concern over the political instability threatening Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process.
In a communiqué, the MSC called for the unconditional release of detained civilian leaders, including President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, and urged the military to guarantee the safety of citizens and international observers.
“The MSC condemns in the strongest terms the coup d’état perpetrated on 26 November 2025 and calls for the unconditional restoration of constitutional order without delay,” the statement read. The council also rejected any arrangements that would subvert the will of the people or halt the electoral process following the November 23 elections.
ECOWAS has mandated a High-Level Mediation Mission, led by the Chair of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, with Presidents Faure Gnassingbé (Togo), José Maria Pereira Neves (Cabo Verde), and Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal) to engage the coup leaders. The mission aims to ensure the full restoration of constitutional order in the country.
The MSC further instructed the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau to return to barracks and maintain their constitutional role, while the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) continues to protect national institutions. ECOWAS reserves the right to use all measures available under its 2001 Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, including sanctions against individuals or entities undermining the democratic process.
