Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met virtually on Wednesday to respond to the recent military takeover in Guinea‑Bissau, collectively condemning the coup and demanding an immediate restoration of democratic governance. In a communique issued after the online summit, the regional bloc decried the seizure of power as a “blatant assault on constitutional order,” and called upon the usurping forces to release detained officials and relinquish control without delay.
During the meeting — which brought together heads of state, foreign ministers, and security chiefs from across West Africa — participants reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to democracy, stability and human rights, vowing to coordinate further action if the junta fails to comply. “Our region cannot afford a return to military rule,” the communique stated, warning of potential sanctions and regional isolation should constitutional order not be restored.
Speaking after the session, Nana Akufo‑Addo, President of Ghana and sitting Chairman of ECOWAS, said the bloc “stands in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau,” condemning any attempt to undermine their democratic will. “We cannot turn a blind eye whenever citizens are denied their voice,” he declared. Meanwhile, Macky Sall of Senegal described the coup as “a tragedy for democracy in our region,” adding that ECOWAS must “act swiftly to defend the rights of all West Africans to elected, civilian leadership.”
The virtual gathering reflects rising frustration among West African leaders over recurrent coups and instability in the region. A previous attempt in 2022 to restore democratic rule in Guinea-Bissau had been derailed by political infighting. This latest takeover — which saw the army detain senior government figures and suspend key institutions — once again threatens to plunge the small Atlantic-coast nation back into uncertainty.
ECOWAS’s statement calls for the immediate reinstatement of the elected civilian administration and insists that any form of government not deriving its legitimacy from the ballot box is unacceptable. The bloc urged the junta to respect fundamental freedoms, human rights and the rule of law, while offering to facilitate dialogue and mediation under its existing protocols.
At the same time, several leaders stressed their readiness to impose targeted sanctions — including travel bans and asset freezes — on individuals linked to the coup if demands are not met within a “reasonable timeframe.” The communique did not specify exact deadlines, but emphasized that “all options remain on the table.”
