ECOWAS Parliament Condemns Guinea-Bissau Coup as ‘Unacceptable Assault on Democracy’

The ECOWAS Parliament has denounced the recent military coup and seizure of power in Guinea-Bissau, calling it an unacceptable attack on democratic norms and a serious threat to both regional and global stability.

Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima made the declaration during the 2025 Second Ordinary Session in Abuja on Tuesday, convened amid growing alarm over the decline of democratic governance across West Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-week session, coinciding with the Parliament’s 25th anniversary, will address numerous agenda items including the 2026 Community Budget, legislative reforms, gender parity and women’s political inclusion, country reports, and engagements with international partners. Wednesday’s proceedings will be devoted entirely to the situation in Guinea-Bissau.

Delivering Ibrahima’s keynote address on her behalf, First Deputy Speaker and Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau warned that the coup violated ECOWAS’s zero-tolerance policy on unconstitutional changes of government.

She stressed that the military takeover occurred despite a peaceful electoral process and demanded the full restoration of democratic rule in Guinea-Bissau. Ibrahima described the coup as both a violation of domestic constitutional order and a destabilising shock for a region already struggling with security threats, economic pressures, and fragile political transitions.

She announced that a high-level session would be held on Wednesday to allow regional lawmakers to deliberate extensively on the coup and determine next steps.

While condemning the development, Ibrahima reaffirmed ECOWAS’s steadfast support for the people of Guinea-Bissau in the face of what she described as the truncation of their democratic process. She said the incident underscored the bloc’s renewed resolve to assert authority at a time when the region is experiencing a troubling resurgence of coups from the Sahel to the Atlantic coast.

According to her, the will of Guinea-Bissau’s electorate must be upheld, adding that ECOWAS institutions and heads of state were united on imposing sanctions and applying diplomatic pressure to reverse the military takeover.

Ibrahima urged collective regional action to safeguard democratic gains, noting that such unity remains essential for sustainable development.

“The voices of the people, expressed clearly and peacefully at the ballot box, must be respected.

“Persistent insecurity, economic crises, climate shocks, and unstable transitions continue to test our region.

“However, coordinated, united action remains our best defence,” she said.

The Speaker also called for deeper regional integration, stronger governance systems, and enhanced collaboration between West African nations and global partners.

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