ECOWAS orders junta to restore constitutional rule in Guinea-Bissau

West African leaders have strongly condemned the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, ordering an immediate return to constitutional governance and suspending the country from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies.

At an emergency virtual summit on Thursday, chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, Heads of State and Government from across the region warned that the November 26 coup posed a grave threat to Guinea-Bissau’s fragile democracy. The crisis erupted just days after the November 23 national elections, prompting fears of a derailed democratic process.

The meeting featured presidents of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Cabo Verde, and Sierra Leone, alongside Côte d’Ivoire’s vice president and senior representatives from Benin, Togo, and The Gambia. Officials from the African Union, the United Nations regional office, and Guinea-Bissau’s foreign ministry also participated.

ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray presented a detailed report on the deteriorating political situation, noting disruptions to the electoral process. Leaders commended Guinea-Bissau’s citizens for their “resilience and commitment to democracy” despite the unrest.

The Mediation and Security Council condemned “in the strongest terms” the coup d’état, insisting on the unconditional restoration of constitutional order. It rejected any arrangement that would legitimize the “illegal abortion of the democratic process.”

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ECOWAS demanded the immediate release of detained officials, including President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and senior electoral officers. Coup leaders were warned they would be held “individually and collectively responsible” for the safety of citizens and detainees.

Leaders further urged the junta to allow the National Electoral Commission to resume and complete the delayed announcement of results from the 2025 Guinea-Bissau election, stressing respect for the will of the people. Safe passage for ECOWAS and international observers was also mandated.

A high-level ECOWAS mission led by the regional chair, with the presidents of Togo, Cabo Verde, and Senegal, is expected in Bissau to engage directly with coup leaders.

The bloc also instructed the country’s armed forces to “return to barracks” and reaffirmed that the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau would continue protecting national institutions. It warned that sanctions, as provided for in ECOWAS protocols, remain an option.

The African Union and European Union issued separate statements condemning the military takeover and calling for the swift restoration of civilian rule.

Tensions have remained high following the detention of President Embalo, who was later evacuated to Dakar. The military has named army chief of staff, General Horta N’Tam, as head of a proposed one-year transition—an arrangement ECOWAS rejects.

Residents in Bissau reported heavy military presence and widespread shutdowns on Thursday as markets and public facilities remained closed.

Guinea-Bissau, which has endured multiple coups since independence in 1974, now faces yet another test of stability as regional and international pressure mounts for a return to democratic governance.

ECOWAS Orders junta to restore constitutional rule in Guinea-Bissau

Nigeria condemns Guinea-Bissau military coup, urges restoration of democratic governance

The Federal Government of Nigeria has condemned the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau, calling it a serious threat to democracy and regional stability in West Africa. In a statement on Thursday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the government received news of the takeover “with profound dismay and deep concern,” describing it as an “unconstitutional change of government.”

Nigeria criticized the coup as an act of insurrection that undermines constitutional rule, democratic progress, and regional peace. The statement highlighted that the takeover violates the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which strictly rejects any seizure of power through unconstitutional means.

“The Nigerian Government wishes to unequivocally call on the authorities in Guinea-Bissau to ensure the safety of all election observers in the country,” the statement read. It further demanded the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order and protection for detained officials and democratic institutions.

The government also reiterated its commitment to work with ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), and international partners to restore normalcy and preserve democracy in the country.

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The statement came a day after Guinea-Bissau descended into uncertainty when military officers announced they had taken “total control” of the country, shut borders, and halted the announcement of electoral results, just three days after general elections. Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, and soldiers blocked major access routes. A curfew and media blackout were imposed, and electoral activities were suspended.

Incumbent president Umaro Sissoco Embaló confirmed he had been deposed, while both Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had earlier claimed victory ahead of provisional results scheduled for Thursday.

The AU, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) condemned the military takeover in a joint statement, urging the armed forces to release detained electoral officials and allow the electoral commission to complete its work. The missions emphasized the need for calm among citizens and the prioritization of peace and public welfare.

This coup adds to Guinea-Bissau’s long history of political instability, which has seen four successful coups and multiple attempted ones since independence. The recent elections were already contentious, following the exclusion of the PAIGC party and its leader, Domingos Simões Pereira, a move criticized by opposition figures as manipulative.

Nigeria’s condemnation aligns with international calls to protect democracy, restore constitutional governance, and safeguard West African regional security, underscoring the urgent need for restraint, dialogue, and respect for the electoral process in Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria condemns Guinea-Bissau military coup, urges restoration of democratic governance

Sudan’s Burhan urges Trump to help end war with RSF as peace efforts stall

Sudan’s army chief and de facto leader, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, has appealed to US President Donald Trump to intervene and help halt the devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a war that has ravaged the country since April 2023.

In an op-ed published Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal, Burhan wrote that “the Sudanese people now look to Washington to take the next step,” urging Trump to use his influence to push for a lasting peace. The general praised what he described as Trump’s “honesty” and “decisive leadership,” saying many Sudanese believe he has the resolve to confront “foreign actors prolonging our suffering.”

The plea comes as repeated attempts to broker peace between Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), have collapsed. The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced 12 million people, and triggered the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis.

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Trump recently signaled interest in helping end the conflict after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged him to get involved. The US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are all currently attempting to broker a truce between the warring factions.

In his 1,200-word article, Burhan framed the war as a fight “between a sovereign state trying to protect its citizens and a genocidal militia bent on destroying communities.” In January, the United States formally determined that the RSF committed genocide in Darfur.

However, Burhan’s own forces have also faced allegations of atrocities during the conflict, including attacks on civilians and indiscriminate shelling of residential neighborhoods.

Burhan acknowledged that he had long viewed the RSF as a looming threat, calling it “a powder keg.” The two men—once allies who jointly removed Sudan’s civilian transitional government in 2021—fell out in a long-running power struggle that erupted into full-scale war on April 15, 2023.

As Sudan continues to unravel, Burhan’s call for Trump’s intervention marks a significant shift in diplomatic messaging, reflecting growing desperation for international action to halt the worsening crisis.

Sudan’s Burhan urges Trump to help end war with RSF as peace efforts stall