The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is intensifying efforts to pressure Guinea-Bissau’s military junta and restore constitutional order following the November 26 coup.
Julius Maada Bio, the President of Sierra Leone and current Chairman of ECOWAS, arrived in Bissau on Monday for an emergency mission. He was accompanied by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.
This high-level visit follows the immediate suspension of Guinea-Bissau from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies after the military takeover.
ECOWAS maintains firm demands: the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the proclamation of the results of the November 23 presidential election.
President Maada Bio was received by the transitional president, General Horta N’Tam, who is leading the newly installed regime. General N’Tam has stated that his government is focused on a year-long transitional process and pledged to combat drug trafficking—a claim the coup plotters used to justify seizing power.
While former president Umaro Sissoco Embalo was evacuated and reportedly moved from Dakar to Brazzaville, several political figures remain in detention. The West African organization is maintaining diplomatic pressure on the junta and calling on the armed forces to return to their barracks.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA