The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced the suspension of Guinea-Bissau's participation in all decision-making bodies of the organization until constitutional order is restored following the coup d'état. This is stated in a communiqué issued by the community following an emergency session of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State.
"The Council decides to suspend Guinea-Bissau from participation in all decision-making bodies of ECOWAS until the full and effective restoration of constitutional order in the country," the organization's statement notes.
Participants of the session expressed "deep concern regarding the unfolding political crisis in Guinea-Bissau."
"The Council strongly condemns the coup d'état carried out on November 26, 2025, and calls for the unconditional and immediate restoration of constitutional order," the communiqué states.
The Council demanded that the coup leaders allow the National Electoral Commission to immediately announce the election results. ECOWAS also called for the prompt release of all detainees.
In a separate clause, ECOWAS placed "individual and collective responsibility" on the coup leaders for the safety of citizens and property, as well as for guaranteeing the safe evacuation of international election observers.
The organization demanded that the armed forces of Guinea-Bissau immediately return to their barracks. The ECOWAS Mission in Support of Stabilization in Guinea-Bissau has been tasked with continuing to protect state institutions.
Presidential elections in the country were held on November 23, and on November 26, the military arrested the leader of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and halted the electoral process. According to the ousted president, the "coup d'état" was organized by the army chief of staff.
Alongside the leader of Guinea-Bissau, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Biaguê Na N'tan, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mamadou Ture, and the Minister of the Interior, Botche Candé, were also arrested. According to media reports, the military also arrested former Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau Domingos Simões Pereira and opposition politician Fernando Dias. Following this, the military announced they had "full control over the country," "suspended the electoral process," and closed the borders.
Official election results have not been announced. Embaló claimed that, according to his own calculations, he had won the election with approximately 65% of the vote. Meanwhile, independent candidate Fernando Dias, who is supported by the opposition African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), also declared victory before the official results were announced.
According to the military, the coup in the country occurred due to the uncovering of a "destabilization plan" involving "politicians, a drug lord, and foreigners."
On November 27, General Horta N'Tam was sworn in as the interim President of Guinea-Bissau and head of the military command.
In turn, Dias accused Embaló of orchestrating a "staged" coup. In his opinion, the ousted leader, who arrived in Senegal after negotiations between the country's authorities and the organizers of the military coup, lost the election and did not want to accept the results.
