The ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) has delivered a forceful reprimand to the military leaders behind the 26 November coup in Guinea-Bissau, declaring that the subversion of democratic order will not be tolerated and demanding the “unconditional restoration of constitutional order without delay.”
The extraordinary virtual session, held on 27 November 2025, was chaired by Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio, who also heads the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
Heads of state and senior representatives from Cabo Verde, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, The Gambia and Togo joined the meeting, alongside the ECOWAS Commission, the African Union, the United Nations and officials from Guinea-Bissau.
The meeting was attended by:
– H.E. Jose Maria Pereira Neves, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde
– H. E. John MAHAMA, President of the Republic of Ghana
– H.E. Joseph N. BOAKAI, President of the Republic of Liberia
– H.E. Bola Ahmed TINUBU, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
– H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal
– H.E. Julius Maada BIO, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone
– H.E. Tiemoko Meyliet KONE, Vice President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire
– H.E. Olushegun Adjadi BAKARI, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin
– H.E. Sering Modou NJIE, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia
– H.E. Yackoley Kokou JOHNSON, Minister of State in charge of Cooperation and Togolese Abroad of the Togolese Republic
Also, in attendance were:
– H.E. Omar Alieu TOURAY, President of ECOWAS Commission
– H.E. Mahmoud Ali YOUSSOUF, Chairperson of the African Union Commission
– H.E. Leonardo Santos SIMAO, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of UNOWAS
– H.E Dr. Carlos Pinto Pereira, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities of the Republic of Guinea Bissau
– H.E Baba KAMARA, Special Envoy on Terrorism and Head of ECOWAS Election Observation Mission to Guinea Bissau.
The Council considered a report from the ECOWAS Commission President on the deteriorating situation in the country. It noted with alarm the rapid political decline unfolding just days after Bissau-Guineans turned out for presidential and parliamentary elections on 23 November.
In a sharply worded statement, the MSC said it “expressed its deep concern with the unfolding political crisis in Guinea Bissau especially at a time when Bissau Guineans have demonstrated resilience and commitment to democracy by participating actively in the Presidential and parliamentary elections held on 23 November 2025.”
It added that it “condemn[s] in the strongest terms the coup d’etat perpetrated on 26 November 2025 and calls for the unconditional restoration of constitutional order without delay,” stressing 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.”
ECOWAS insisted that the coup leaders must “respect the will of the people and allow the National Electoral Commission to proceed without delay with the declaration of the results of the elections of 23 November 2025.”
The bloc also demanded the immediate release of all detained officials, stating: “The MSC further calls 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.”
The Council warned that the junta will be held accountable for the safety of the population, saying it “holds the leaders of the coup both individually and collectively responsible for the protection of life and property of all citizens and residents of Guinea Bissau and for the security and safety of all detainees.”
ECOWAS also ordered the safe evacuation of its personnel, declaring that “the MSC calls on the leaders of the coup to guarantee the safety and facilitate the evacuation and safe passage of ECOWAS and all other international election observers.”
As part of its response, the Council suspended Guinea-Bissau from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies, saying it had acted “in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance 2001.”
It further directed President Bio to lead a high-level mediation mission, noting: “The Mission shall include His Excellency Faure Gnassingbe, President of the Council of Togo, His Excellency Jose Maria Pereira Neves, President of Cabo Verde, and His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal, accompanied by the President of Commission.”
In its strongest military directive yet, ECOWAS urged Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces to desist from political interference, stating: “The MSC urges the Armed forces of Guinea Bissau to return to barracks and to maintain their constitutional role.”
It also ordered the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau to continue safeguarding state institutions.
The MSC concluded by affirming that it “decides to remain seized of the situation in Guinea Bissau and reserves the right to use all options provided for by the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the 2012 Supplementary Act on Sanctions, including sanctions on all entities deemed culpable of disrupting the electoral and democratic process in Guinea Bissau.”
The regional bloc signalled unmistakably that any attempt to derail democratic rule in Guinea-Bissau will face decisive collective action.
