The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially suspended Guinea-Bissau. The decision delivers a swift diplomatic blow to the nation.
This move comes just hours after the military junta swore in an army general as the new president.
Leaders finalized the decision late Thursday night. They met during an emergency virtual session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC). Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio chaired the high-level meeting.
“Illegal Abortion of Democracy”
Leaders from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Liberia, and Benin attended the talks. They presented a unified front against the unconstitutional change of government.
The council released a strongly worded resolution. They condemned the military takeover, describing it as an “illegal abortion of the democratic process.”
Furthermore, the bloc accused the junta of subverting the people’s will. This happened at a critical moment in the nation’s history.
The intervention occurred during a tense vote-counting process. Consequently, it nullified the high-stakes presidential election before officials could declare a winner.
Rising Regional Instability
The suspension isolates Guinea-Bissau within the sub-region. It aligns ECOWAS with the African Union. The AU has also denounced the coup and is expected to levy similar sanctions soon.
This latest power grab adds to a troubling trend. Instability is rising across West Africa. The region has recorded at least six successful coups since 2020. Now, regional bodies are struggling to reverse this dangerous trajectory.
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