ECOWAS Suspends Guinea-Bissau Following Coup
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended all decision-making powers in Guinea-Bissau after a coup deposed the civilian government on Friday. The organization firmly condemned the coup, stating that the suspension will remain in place “until complete and effective constitutional order is restored in the country.”
In light of these developments, ECOWAS urged the military in Guinea-Bissau to ensure safe passage for international observers, release all detained individuals, and allow the National Electoral Commission to promptly announce the election results scheduled for November 23, 2025. The coalition warned that economic sanctions could be on the table if the junta fails to cooperate.
Guinea-Bissau is a small, impoverished nation that has seen numerous upheavals since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974. Its previous coup in 2012 also led to suspensions from both ECOWAS and the African Union (AU).
Last weekend, the current president, Umaro Sissoko Embalo, sought re-election amidst heightened tensions. The election, initially set for February, faced delays due to disputes regarding the duration of Embalo’s term. Critics claimed that this delay should have rendered him ineligible to run again.
The election was a tense affair, as nine other West African nations have experienced similar upheavals in recent years. On Wednesday, military authorities declared their control over the government and invalidated the election results, calling themselves the “Supreme Military Command for Reconstruction” and stating they would govern until further notice.
The election was described as a close contest between Embalo, a former military figure, and Fernando Díaz da Costa, a largely unknown opposition candidate. Notably, the main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, had been excluded from the election due to alleged late submissions, casting doubts on the electoral process. They chose to back Mr. Díaz instead, as their candidate could not participate.
After the coup, sporadic gunfire erupted in the capital, Bissau, stirring panic. The military claimed the action was necessary to thwart an alleged destabilization plot connected to international drug cartels.
In a video address, a military spokesperson detailed accusations that politicians, with the help of drug lords both domestic and foreign, had conspired to manipulate the election results. Conversely, Díaz posted a video online accusing Embalo of orchestrating a fake coup to cover his anticipated defeat in the elections.
Díaz stated, “Mr. Humaro lost the election and instead of accepting the results, he fabricated a coup. Unable to bear the defeat, he used the Presidential Guard and Interior Ministry troops to arrest me. I had to escape through the back door.” He labeled the situation as a chaotic scheme to maintain power.
Embalo mentioned that he had been detained, although the military had not officially confirmed this. He later re-emerged in Senegal, reportedly having traveled there on a government-chartered flight.
Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, denounced the coup as a “conspiracy” aimed at disrupting the electoral process, while emphasizing the importance of following the democratic process to its conclusion.
On Thursday, the junta appointed General Orta Ntam as “interim president” for at least a year and rejected demands to disclose the results of last Sunday’s election, which were expected to be published that day. Reports from exiled officials indicated that former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira, a supporter of Mr. Díaz, had been arrested along with the Interior Minister and several military officers.
