The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies following the military takeover that unfolded in the country this week.
The decision came after an emergency virtual meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, MSC, held late Thursday.
The session was chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who also heads the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
READ ALSO: DEVELOPING STORY: Military Coup in Guinea Bissau
In its official communiqué, the MSC explained that the suspension aligns with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001). Guinea-Bissau will remain suspended until full and effective constitutional order is restored.
The coup erupted on Wednesday, just days after the nation’s tense presidential and legislative elections. Mutinous soldiers halted the electoral process, closed the country’s borders and blocked the release of official results.
ECOWAS condemned the takeover in strong terms, calling the detention of several individuals — including incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who was widely projected to win the election — unacceptable.
“The MSC condemns in the strongest terms the coup d’état perpetrated on 26 November 2025 and calls for the immediate restoration of constitutional order,” the statement read.
The regional bloc also rejected any attempt to legitimize the disruption of the democratic process or undermine the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau. It demanded the immediate release of all detained political figures, including President Embaló, electoral officials and other arrested individuals.
ECOWAS further insisted that the electoral commission be allowed to announce the results of Sunday’s vote without interference.
Despite mounting regional pressure, the coup leaders have appointed the army’s chief of staff, General Horta N’Tam, as transitional head of state for a one-year period.
Meanwhile, the AU has also announced the suspension of Guinea-Bissau.
In a communique after its extraordinary session said “accordingly, in line with relevant AU instruments, particularly Article 7 (g) of the Protocol
Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, and Article 25 (1) ofthe African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, to immediately suspend the Republic of Guinea-Bissau from participating in all activities of the Union, its Organs and Institutions, until
a constitutional order is restored in the country.
“Fully supports the Communiqué of the Extraordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government convened virtually on 27 November 2025; and welcomes the Press Release of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, issued on 26 November 2025 which unequivocally condemned the military coup d’état in Guinea-Bissau; also welcomes the Joint Statement on the post-election situation by Heads of the AU Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission and the West African Elders Forum issued on 26 November 2025,” said the communique.
“We also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained electoral officials and all other political figures and those who participated in the elections and underscored the need to ensure their safety and dignity; Calls upon all Member States of the AU and the international community including bilateral and multilateral partners, to reject this unconstitutional change of government and to refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy and or support, to the illegal regime in Guinea-Bissau,” it added.