The ECOWAS Parliament during plenary on Wednesday witnessed a tense and emotionally charged plenary as legislators grappled with the deepening political turmoil in Guinea-Bissau, following what has been described as an unconstitutional seizure of power amid unresolved election results.
Members pressed for swift and decisive regional action to protect democratic norms across West Africa.
Presenting the findings of a fact-finding mission, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante—Rapporteur of the Committee on Political Affairs, which was tasked with engaging key actors—outlined the committee’s discussions with election observers, ECOWAS bodies responsible for political stability, and Guinea-Bissau’s own MPs.
He noted that the committee met with representatives of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, including Ablai Iketa, Amadou Kamara and Issach Lumina Pereira-Soureza, as well as Honourable Nelson, a candidate in the disputed poll.
According to the report, political campaigning began peacefully on 1 November, though it was overshadowed by the controversial disqualification of a leading opposition figure.
Observers were deployed across most regions—except in the east and south—and described an orderly election day with strong voter turnout and robust security arrangements.
However, premature declarations of victory by various contenders fuelled tension, particularly as the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the only body authorised to publish results, has yet to announce any official outcome.
Hon. Abiante recounted that on 26 November gunfire erupted in the capital, precipitating what many have labelled an unconstitutional takeover—referred to interchangeably as a coup, a palace coup, or an arranged coup. In response, ECOWAS and the African Union have suspended Guinea-Bissau from their activities until the situation becomes clearer.
The ensuing debate revealed palpable frustration among lawmakers, who warned that the crisis underscored yet another setback for democratic stability in the region.
Nigerian MP Hon. Osita Ugwu delivered one of the day’s most forceful interventions, arguing that West Africa could no longer afford to disregard early warning signs. Citing the coordinated effort that ensured the safe evacuation of former President Goodluck Jonathan—facilitated by ECOWAS aircraft—he insisted the current situation demanded honesty rather than emotion. He condemned the actions of what he called “forgotten warlords” and demanded that Guinea-Bissau’s Electoral Commission release detained dissenters and publish the authentic election results without delay.
He maintained that the results “were still intact” and should determine the rightful president.Hon. Osita warned that democracy in the sub-region must not be allowed to “become a caricature before the international community”, stressing that clandestine attempts to overthrow governments threatened the region’s collective credibility.
He urged Parliament to speak with one voice, investigate the alleged coup and compel the release of the results. “Africa has grown,” he said, “and democracy must be allowed to grow with it.”Ghanaian MP Honourable Ladi Ayamba also voiced her frustration, lamenting that the warning signs in Guinea-Bissau—much like those in other West African crises—had been ignored.
She criticised ECOWAS for consistently acting only after instability has escalated, stressing that Parliament had failed to intervene earlier even though Guinea-Bissau had been without a functioning national assembly twice in recent years.
Such a situation, she argued, should have triggered urgent preventive measures well before the current crisis.Hon. Ladi called for a strong parliamentary resolution insisting on the immediate publication of the full election results, arguing that claims of their destruction were untenable if the institutions already held them.
She appealed directly to the two Guinea-Bissau MPs present to demonstrate unity and reaffirm their commitment to democratic governance. Highlighting the importance of early-warning systems, she questioned the silence of ECOWAS heads of state and urged the swift deployment of ECOMOM to restore constitutional order.
“We must not give space to selfish interests,” she cautioned, adding that regional unity was vital for safeguarding democracy.
As more members attempted to contribute, the atmosphere grew increasingly disorderly, prompting the Speaker to intervene and restore calm.
Given the gravity of the concerns raised, she directed that the matter be referred to a closed-door committee session to draft a comprehensive resolution.
Parliament subsequently mandated the committee to propose urgent actions, including an independent inquiry into the alleged coup, immediate publication of the election results, and strengthened diplomatic and security engagement.
The House adjourned shortly afterwards to allow the committee to prepare its recommendations ahead of the next sitting.
