The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has placed a suspension order on Guinea-Bissau over a coup that toppled the civilian government on Sunday.
The coup leaders have appointed the Chief of Army Staff, General Horta N’Tam, as the country’s new leader.
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”.
