An ECOWAS mission, led by the regional grouping’s current chair Julius Maada Bio, has pressed the military authorities in Guinea-Bissau to release the presidential election results and free political detainees.
Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio led a high-level delegation to Bissau on Monday to meet with the miltary leaders who took power following the November 26 coup.
The talks focused on restoring constitutional order, publishing the election results, and releasing political leaders still being detained.
The mission follows the virtual ECOWAS Summit of Heads of State and Government held on November 27, 2025, in the wake of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s ouster.
Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister Aladji Moussa Timothy Travers indicated that President Bio was mandated to engage directly with the transitional leaders.
“The discussions were very fruitful, and both parties expressed their concerns,” said Mr. Travers, reiterating that ECOWAS has condemned the putsch and demanded the immediate restoration of constitutional order, notably through the finalisation of the interrupted electoral process.
The military officials, for their part, stated that they seized power in order to “restore order and security in the country.”
Government assures ECOWAS commitment
Guinea-Bissau’s Foreign Minister, João Bernardo Vieira, praised the quality of exchanges between the Military High Command and the West African delegation.
“It was a very productive meeting. The Military Command had the opportunity to explain the reasons that led to the coup d’état, and ECOWAS showed its willingness to continue working with Guinea-Bissau,” he stated.
“It was clearly established that ECOWAS will not abandon Guinea-Bissau at this very difficult time,” he insisted, adding that the talks will continue to find a rapid solution for a return to constitutional order.
According to Mr. Vieira, the military authorities proposed a one-year transition, but this timeframe must be submitted to the Conference of Heads of State and Government scheduled for December 14. “Based on that decision, we will know how to proceed,” he added.
Toward the publication of interrupted presidential election results
Regarding the November 23 election, which was halted by the putsch, Mr. Vieira indicated that the ECOWAS delegation was scheduled to meet with the National Electoral Commission (CNE) on Monday to obtain “the real data from the electoral process.”
“The people of Guinea-Bissau will finally know who won the elections,” he said, pending the conclusions of that meeting.
He also stressed that a commitment was made “for the return to constitutional order, the publication of the results, and the release of the detainees.”
The new men in charge of Guinea-Bissau are reportedly working to create the “best conditions” to enable the CNE to release the results.
Release of detainees at the core of concerns
Questioned about the demand for the immediate disclosure of the results, the minister explained that ECOWAS is awaiting the CNE’s opinion before commenting.
He confirmed that the release of the arrested political leaders constitutes a strong demand from the regional body.
“The Military High Command has committed to finding the best solutions so that this issue is resolved as quickly as possible,” he affirmed.
Minister Travers concluded by asserting that ECOWAS will continue its efforts to bring Guinea-Bissau back to constitutional order and to ensure the country’s development, security, and stability.
AC/sf/lb/as/APA