The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies following Wednesday’s military coup that toppled the country’s elected leadership.
The suspension was announced late Thursday after an emergency virtual meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC), chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio.
In its communiqué, the MSC said the move complied with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, stressing that Guinea-Bissau’s suspension would remain in place until “full and effective constitutional order” is restored.
The sub-regional bloc condemned the coup “in the strongest terms,” insisting that the military’s actions amounted to an illegal disruption of the democratic process.
“The MSC calls for the unconditional restoration of constitutional order without delay,” the statement said.
It also rejected “any arrangements that perpetuate the illegal abortion of the democratic process and the subversion of the will of the people.”
ECOWAS demanded the immediate release of all detained officials, including President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who had been widely expected to win the presidential election held on Sunday.
Electoral officials and other political figures arrested by the coup leaders were also included in the demand.
The coup occurred three days after Guinea-Bissau’s disputed presidential and legislative elections.
Soldiers overthrew the civilian government, suspended the electoral process, closed the country’s borders, and blocked the announcement of results.
The military has since installed the army chief of staff, General Horta N’Tam, as head of state for a one-year transition period.
N’Tam was sworn in on Thursday as the leader of the transition and the head of the High Command.
The bloc urged the coup leaders to allow the electoral commission to publish the results of the November 23 vote “without delay” and to respect the will of the people.
ECOWAS also reaffirmed its strong opposition to unconstitutional changes of government, noting that Guinea-Bissau has now joined a growing list of West African states grappling with military takeovers.