ECOWAS SUSPENDS GUINEA-BISSAU AFTER COUP, DEMANDS EMBALÓ’S RELEASE
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
ECOWAS has condemned the recent coup in Guinea-Bissau and called for the immediate release of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and other detained officials. The regional bloc expressed concern that the crisis erupted just days after the country held presidential and parliamentary elections, emphasizing that the will of the people must be respected.
In a strong move, ECOWAS suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies and held the military junta responsible for the safety of citizens and election observers. The bloc also ordered its Stabilization Mission to continue protecting state institutions and sent a high-level mediation team to Bissau, including regional leaders and the ECOWAS Commission president.
ECOWAS urged the armed forces to return to the barracks and warned that sanctions could follow against those disrupting the democratic process.