ECOWAS Reiterates Call for Inclusive Transitional Government in Guinea-Bissau

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reiterated its call for the establishment of an inclusive transitional government in Guinea-Bissau following the coup d’état of 26 November.

The call was made by ECOWAS Chairman and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, during a high-level mission to Guinea-Bissau, where he held discussions with the High Military Command, led by Major General Horta N’Tam.

During the meeting, the ECOWAS Chairman restated the bloc’s demand for a short-term transition led by an inclusive government that reflects the political diversity and social composition of Guinea-Bissau.

The mission aligns with resolutions adopted at the recent ECOWAS Summit in Abuja, where regional leaders agreed on measures aimed at supporting the restoration of constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau.

The visit comes two weeks after an earlier Senegalese mediation mission, which secured the partial release of six individuals close to opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira. However, the former President of the National People’s Assembly remains in detention.
Meanwhile, Dias da Costa, who claimed victory following the 23 November election, has taken refuge in the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau.

Major General Horta N’Tam, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, seized power after the electoral process was suspended just 24 hours before the National Electoral Commission was due to announce the results. Leading a one-year transition, he subsequently appointed a government and adopted a transitional charter.

ECOWAS has demanded the immediate release of all political detainees, the establishment of a short, inclusive transition government, and the safeguarding of state institutions and political leaders through the Mission to Support the Stabilization of Guinea-Bissau (MISGB).

The regional bloc has also tasked its Commission with closely overseeing the transition process, warning that targeted sanctions will be imposed on any individuals or groups that hinder the country’s return to constitutional governance.