Just over a month before the constitutional referendum scheduled for August 30, ECOWAS has called for a more inclusive transition in Guinea-Bissau, demanded the release of political detainees and strengthened its mediation efforts by appointing Senegal as facilitator.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged Guinea-Bissau’s transitional authorities to accelerate the return to constitutional order by ensuring an inclusive political process, while appointing Senegal as mediator to support dialogue among the various stakeholders.
Meeting on Sunday in Lungi, Sierra Leone, ECOWAS heads of state and government took note of the planned constitutional referendum on August 30, 2026, followed by general elections on December 6, and called on the transitional authorities to guarantee transparency and inclusiveness throughout both electoral processes.
The Authority of Heads of State and Government urged all political and social actors to prioritise dialogue in order to promote a consensual transition towards the restoration of constitutional order. It also called on the authorities to ensure strict respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and judicial guarantees for all citizens.
In this context, West African leaders called for the unconditional release of all political figures still in detention, including Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). According to ECOWAS, such a measure would represent a confidence-building gesture capable of restoring trust, reassuring the opposition and strengthening the credibility of the transition process.
The position comes days after the PAIGC demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of its leader, who was placed in pre-trial detention on July 10 as part of an investigation into an alleged coup attempt. The main opposition party has denounced what it described as “political and judicial persecution” and called for a return to constitutional order through dialogue, while the authorities maintain that they are acting within the framework of judicial proceedings.
The ECOWAS Commission has also been tasked with continuing consultations with transitional authorities, political stakeholders and civil society, while strengthening technical support and security guarantees, notably through the Support Mission for Stabilisation in Guinea-Bissau (MASGB).
The new roadmap follows the position expressed in late June by the ECOWAS Commission, which rejected accusations of interference made by some Bissau-Guinean political actors. The organisation said its role was limited to providing technical support for the transition and advocated for inclusive political dialogue under national leadership.
The August 30 referendum will focus on a draft new Constitution adopted by the National Transitional Council. The proposed text provides, among other measures, for a shift from a parliamentary system to a presidential system, a reform contested by part of the opposition, which questions the legitimacy of institutions established after the November 26, 2025 coup.
Finally, the ECOWAS Authority appointed Senegal as mediator to support dialogue efforts among the various parties and facilitate an inclusive and peaceful transition towards the restoration of constitutional order.
On November 26, 2025, Guinea-Bissau experienced a military coup on the eve of the announcement of the results of the November 23 presidential election. Military officers announced the suspension of the electoral process and seized control of state institutions, as outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his main rival Fernando Dias da Costa both claimed victory.
General Horta N’Tam was subsequently sworn in as transitional president at the head of a High Military Command, following the removal of Umaro Sissoco Embaló. Several political figures, including PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira, were arrested in the following days.
AC/lb/as/APA