A high-level ECOWAS delegation arrived in Guinea-Bissau on Monday to begin mediation talks with the country’s new military rulers. The mission aims to ensure the complete restoration of constitutional order after last week’s coup.
ECOWAS Pushes for Stability
The delegation is led by ECOWAS Chairman and Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who landed in Bissau on December 1, 2025. His visit comes as the military government, which seized power last Wednesday, issued a nationwide ban on demonstrations, strikes, and activities that could threaten peace.
In a statement late Sunday, military authorities also directed all public institutions and ministries to reopen, showing an attempt to stabilize daily operations.
Background of the Coup
The coup occurred three days after a disputed presidential election, with both top candidates claiming victory. During the takeover, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo told French media that he had been arrested and removed from power. He later fled to Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo.
The military appointed Gen. Horta Inta-a, former army chief of staff, as head of the transition government. He will oversee a one-year transition period. On Saturday, Inta-a revealed a new 28-member cabinet, largely made up of allies of the ousted president.
Nigeria Provides Protection to Opposition Candidate
Nigeria announced that President Bola Tinubu has granted protection to Guinea-Bissau opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa, following an “imminent threat” to his life.
According to a letter sent to ECOWAS, Dias da Costa is currently at the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau, and Nigeria has requested ECOWAS troops to provide additional security.
International Response
ECOWAS has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all decision-making bodies until constitutional order is restored. The bloc said its team would engage directly with the coup leaders to push for a return to democratic governance.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the coup, calling it an “unacceptable violation of democratic principles.” He urged the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order and demanded the release of detained officials, including electoral authorities and political leaders.