The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the immediate release of all political detainees in Guinea-Bissau, insisting that they be allowed to fully participate in the country’s political process. The demand was made at the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja, where regional leaders met to review political and security developments across West Africa.
At the summit, the regional bloc firmly rejected the military junta’s proposed 12-month transition programme, which plans presidential and legislative elections at the end of a one-year transitional period, with election dates to be determined by the transitional president. ECOWAS maintained that such a plan undermines democratic norms and regional commitments to constitutional governance.
The position follows recent political upheaval in Guinea-Bissau, where a group of army officers identifying themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” removed President Umaro Embalo from office and suspended the electoral process just a day before the electoral commission was expected to announce the results of the 2025 presidential election. The junta subsequently introduced a transitional charter that would keep it in power for one year.
ECOWAS, however, dismissed the charter and instead called for a brief transition led by an inclusive civilian government. According to the bloc, such a government should reflect Guinea-Bissau’s broad political and social spectrum and be mandated to carry out constitutional, legal, and political reforms, as well as organise credible, transparent, and inclusive elections.
Beyond Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS also addressed regional security concerns, condemning the foiled coup attempt in the Republic of Benin. The bloc described the incident as a serious threat to Benin’s constitutional order and praised the swift intervention by elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force in support of Benin’s republican forces. It also commended Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Sierra Leone for demonstrating regional solidarity during the crisis.
In response to growing insecurity and violent extremism, ECOWAS approved a total of $14.25 million in security funding for five member states—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. Each country is to receive $2.85 million from the ECOWAS Regional Security Fund, subject to a review of the bloc’s counterterrorism Plan of Action. The funding aims to help address the escalating violence and humanitarian challenges confronting the region.
The bloc further directed its commission to urgently operationalise the long-planned Regional Counterterrorism Brigade, a multinational force introduced in March 2024 to enhance collective military responses to terrorism and transnational threats. The brigade is expected to pool troops, intelligence, and resources from member states.
ECOWAS also urged continued engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to strengthen cooperation in tackling the deteriorating security situation across the Sahel and coastal West Africa. In addition, the bloc called on the African Union and the United Nations Security Council to increase support for countries battling terrorism in the region.
Reaffirming its resolve, ECOWAS pledged to remain committed to eradicating terrorism within its member states and commended ongoing national efforts to confront the growing security challenges facing West Africa.