By Abiola Olawale
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has responded to the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau by suspending the country from all its decision-making bodies.
The regional bloc also delivered a strong mandate, demanding the unconditional restoration of constitutional order without delay following the military takeover that halted the declaration of election results.
The decision was formalized 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 communique, ECOWAS called for the release of the president and officials.
“The MSC decides, in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance 2001 (A/SP/12/01), to suspend Guinea-Bissau from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies until the restoration of full and effective constitutional order in the country,” the text reads.
The bloc constituted a high-level mediation mission comprising Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe, Jose Neves, president of Cabo Verde, and Senegalese President Bassirou Faye to engage the coup leaders on the restoration of democracy.
The New Diplomat reports that this comes after military officers announced a coup on November 26 and suspended the country’s electoral process, declaring they would be in control “until further notice”.
The country was awaiting the announcement of election results when the putschists struck.
The coup also came weeks after the Guinea-Bissau government said it successfully thwarted an alleged coup attempt just before the start of election campaigns.
After seizing control, the coup leaders arrested and detained President Umaro Embaló, who is seeking re-election, and some cabinet members, including the interior minister, deputy chief of staff, and the armed forces’ chief of staff.
