ECOWAS to sanction Guinea-Bissau coup enablers

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced plans to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and groups supporting the recent coup in Guinea-Bissau.

The decision was taken on Sunday at the 68th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS held in Abuja.

Reading the communiqué, ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said sanctions would be applied to anyone obstructing efforts to return the country to constitutional rule.

He said ECOWAS had rejected the transition programme announced by the military authorities and demanded a speedy transition led by an inclusive civilian government. The bloc also called for the immediate release of all political detainees.

Touray warned that dialogue would be prioritised, but sanctions would follow if engagement fails.

The ECOWAS authority also approved the continued presence of the ECOWAS Military Mission in Guinea-Bissau, mandated to protect political leaders and national institutions.

Guinea-Bissau plunged into crisis on November 26, when soldiers loyal to Brigadier-General Dinis Incanha arrested President Umaro Embaló and announced a takeover of government.

The coup happened a day before the electoral commission was due to announce results of the November 23 presidential election, which Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa both claimed to have won.

Rights groups have described the coup as an attempt to disrupt the electoral process and retain political influence.

Touray said ECOWAS Chairman and Sierra Leone President, Julius Bio, will lead another high-level mission to Guinea-Bissau, while regional defence chiefs will engage the military authorities.

He added that observers from ECOWAS, the African Union and other international bodies had earlier described the election as free and peaceful, calling the military intervention a violation of the people’s will.

ECOWAS leaders also condemned the failed coup attempt in Benin Republic on December 7, praising the swift response of regional forces.

Touray said the actions of security forces from Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone showed strong regional cooperation.

Following the attempt, President Bola Tinubu ordered the deployment of Nigerian troops and aircraft to Benin, a move later approved by the Senate. About 200 West African troops are now in Benin to support the government.

The bloc reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on coups and any form of unconstitutional change of government.

ECOWAS also raised concerns over statements by former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, warning that his comments from exile could threaten peace in The Gambia.

Touray said Jammeh’s asylum agreement does not shield him from responsibility for alleged human rights abuses.

On Guinea (Conakry), ECOWAS welcomed progress in the transition process and backed elections scheduled for December 28, with observers set to be deployed.

President Tinubu was represented at the meeting by Vice President Kashim Shettima.